CHILDREN have learnt how to perform the fearsome haka war dance as part of their studies of an ancient civilisation.

Fijian soldiers from Catterick Garrison visited the nearby Le Cateau Primary School to perform the dance, which is most commonly associated with New Zealand's Maori warriors and is performed by the country's All Blacks team before rugby matches.

Pupils in years three and four are studying the Aztecs, a South American civilisation that performed war dances.

Beki Bulmer, from the school, said: "The closest thing to a modern-day war dance is the traditional haka. Fijian soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, based in Somme Barracks, visited the school to demonstrate the haka, which is also a Caribbean dance.

"The children enjoyed learning the moves and words to the haka. All agreed that it was a particularly good form of exercise too."

The haka was used by Maori warriors to challenge opponents.

Deputy headteacher Margaret Merrall said: "We like to bring our themes to life for children whenever we can, and this seemed such a good opportunity to work closely with the local regiment, too."