Children are being invited to stay and play as a leading school opens its doors to the community to mark Chinese New Year.

Visitors aged two to four are being made welcome, along with their parents, at Barnard Castle Preparatory School, on Saturday, January 20, from 10.30am to 11.30am.

The free fun stay and play session will allow them to play, sing and make new friends, as well as take part in Chinese New Year-themed crafts, enjoy delicious refreshments and be given an early taste of school life at Barney.

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Headmistress Laura Turner said: “We launched stay and play before Christmas and were thrilled with the response. Around 14 children had a fantastic time making new friends and joining in a host of festive activities.

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“With Chinese New Year coming up we thought it would be great to stage another event for the community.”

Anyone interested in the event should click on https://forms.office.com/e/4ExsRELnz1 to register.

There are two more stay and play events this term on Saturday, February 10 and Saturday, March 9.