PUPILS at a village primary school are learning about life in one of the European Union's newest member countries from a Polish trainee teacher.

Marta Michalik is three weeks into an eight-month placement at Escomb Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, as part of her training to be a foreign language teacher in her own country.

The 21-year-old hopes to get some tips to take back to schools in Poland and is sharing some of her skills and culture with children at Escomb.

Miss Michalik said: "The education system is different to ours. The facilities here are wonderful."

Headteacher Keith Taylor said: "Children usually holiday in France and Spain. They have few opportunities to learn about other places."