PARENTS and pupils joined forces to produce a host of colourful craftwork.

A year ago Shotton Hall Junior School launched a family learning project to give parents a chance to have direct participation in their children's schooling.

At first, only a handful of parents took part, but over the past 12 months the numbers of families joining in has soared.

The school's hall was transformed into a workshop while parents helped their children make items including puppets, decoupage pictures and kites to greeting cards, masks and screen prints.

The school's headteacher, John Oughtibridge, said the project had been launched with the help of east Durham's Education Action Zone.

"It has proved a great success and has helped bring a new enjoyment back to learning for both pupils and parents," he said.

He said with so many attainment tests and league tables dominating school life, it was very rewarding to bring fun back into the classroom and to get parents involved.

Teacher Maureen McNay, who has devoted hours to the scheme, said it would be ongoing.