CHILDREN from schools across Darlington swapped the classroom for manual work as joiners, electricians, builders and painters yesterday.

About 200 primary pupils visited the town's Branksome School to take part in a one- day Branksome Builders challenge.

The ten and 11-year-olds tried their hands at designing a tower block, building brick walls, decorating and wiring light fittings at the event, which was funded by the Construction Industry Training Board's Curriculum Centre.

Taking part in the event were year six pupils from Alderman Leach, Cockerton CE, Mount Pleasant and Corporation Road Community primary schools, who are all planning to attend Branksome School from September.

Branksome's head of technology, Derek McCann, said: "This was a fun day to bring children from different schools together.

"It has also shown children who will be our pupils next term that technology is used in a range of different jobs and hobbies."

The activities also reinforced messages of health and safety among youngsters, who were asked to spot potential hazards and identify ways of preventing accidents throughout the day.