MORE than 300 children from Durham primary schools take part in a musical celebration this week.

The pupils, from six schools in Derwentside and Chester-le-Street, present a concert of world music to mark the end of an arts initiative in north Durham.

Forging the Future involved professional artists and musicians going into schools to improve motivation, increase self confidence and help tackle social exclusion.

The £200,000 project was organised by The Forge, Durham and Sunderland's arts and education agency.

Forge director Tony Harrington said: "We are really pleased with how it has developed, both for the children involved and for the artists who worked on the project."

Since its launch in January last year, it has involved about 1,400 pupils in activities such as digital animation, sound recording, singing, dance, storytelling and sculpture.

Funding came from Durham County Council, Derwentside and Chester-le-Street district councils, and the European Single Regeneration Budget.

A Musical Journey to Four Corners of the World takes place in the Lamplight Arts Centre, in Stanley, on Friday. It features the 4 Corners World Music Network and pupils from Bloemfontein Primary, Leadgate Infants, Lumley Juniors, Lumley Medway Infants, Moorside Primary, and South Moor Greenland Infants.

Two secondary schools are to showcase their work, created with the help of a dance company Tin Productions.

A group from Hermitage Comprehensive, Chester-le-Street, will appear at Durham's Gala Theatre on March 31, while students from Moorside Comprehensive in Consett will be performing at the Empire Theatre, Consett, on April 1.