ACTION heritage research by young people in East Durham is being made into animated film for the big screen.

Glendene School and Community Arts College, Easington Colliery, a specialist visual arts college, has been working jointly with 19 schools in the Peterlee area on the project which will culminate in the first screening of the film next month.

Called New Town Tales, it will be shown over four days at the Gala Theatre, Durham City, to an audience of all children and staff involved in the production.

Led by Glendene’s school and community development officer, Pete Harrison, the project involved two secondary, one nursery and 16 primary schools.

Staff have explored animation and equipment techniques and each school has chosen its own topic and the number of pupils involved.

Margaret Pattinson, director of the Arts College, said: "The project enhances the traditional areas of the curriculum but also involves the creative processes.

"Staff and children have worked together to select stories and make backgrounds and characters.

"Teachers also carried out some action research in schools to see if the project makes any changes particularly in the development of speaking and listening, teamwork and creativity.

"Many interesting themes were chosen ranging from Peter Lee and local legends to the Wingate plane crash.

"Some schools involved small groups of pupils while others chose whole classes and, in one case, the entire school.

"We think the film show will be a fantastic event."

Schools will attend the event from July 7 to 10.