AN educational DVD to help teachers of special needs pupils has been produced by a student at a Darlington college.

Leyanne Pennington, 19, who is studying for a BTEC national diploma in media moving image at Darlington College of Technology, has been looking into how teaching can be improved as part of a final year course project.

She discovered there was very little help available on how to use technology with children with special educational needs, and decided to help.

She has produced a 20-minute information DVD on the subject - demonstrating how the equipment can be used - with footage shot in the college and at Beaumont Hill School, in Darlington.

It also informs teachers where to go for more information and training.

"I found there was so much equipment out there that could be of use, such as white boards and computers, but no one was letting the teachers know," said Leyanne, from Newton Aycliffe.

"I have had a lot of feedback from teachers who said it would be easier to use the DVD than go on a course as they could just sit down and watch it whenever they wanted.

"It has taken me about two months to do the work and I am really pleased with the way it has turned out."