TEENAGERS from Stockton met young people from France, Germany, the Czech Republic and the Spanish town of Cheste, near Valencia.

The Ian Ramsey CofE School pupils enjoyed a civic reception in the town hall, paella for 130 in the local park, sports and a visit to the World Motor Racing Circuit as part of their visit.

The trip was organised and financed by Ian Ramsey School as part of its role as a specialist language college.

The Stockton school has hosted the event for the past four years.

But this year Colegio San Jose de la Monana accepted Ian Ramsey School's invitation to host the cultural exchange week. Debra Doherty, who is the language college manager at Ian Ramsey School, said: "The success of the project can be measured not only by the development in pupils' linguistics skills but also in their intercultural understanding."