A GROUP of Darlington teachers swapped their whiteboards and text books for frilly knickers and silly costumes yesterday.

The staff at Eastbourne School dropped the curriculum and spent the afternoon watching pupils perform in a TV-inspired talent competition called The House Factor.

While the judges were choosing a winner, the school's teachers performed the pantomime Cinderella, in rhyming couplets, for students.

Headteacher Karen Pemberton said: "It was an absolutely fantastic afternoon. Tickets were completely sold out. It went really, really well."

The contest was based on the format of hit programme the X Factor.

Mrs Pemberton said: "We had never done anything like this before, but we would love to do it again next year. The children worked very hard and it was nice to see that all pay off."

Over the past two weeks, pupils at the school had been auditioning in assembly and two acts from each of the school's houses went through to the final.

The show was opened by the school choir.

Master of ceremonies for the occasion was Jonathan Dulston, head boy of Auckland House.

The judges, Mrs Pemberton, chief executive Eamonn Farrar, and school governors Councillor Veronica Copeland and Claire Whiteway-Wilkinson, had a difficult decision to make.

The House Factor was won by Divas, a dance group representing Marrick House and consisting of year ten girls Jordan Fishwick, Joanne Farry, Narelle French and Deanna Wood.

The staff pantomime was written by teacher Steve Colgin.

About 200 tickets were sold for the event and the money went towards the postage costs for 90 Christmas boxes sent to eastern Europe.