A MULTI-NATIONAL sports project is taking place in the county next month, with children travelling from across Europe to take part.

Students from two Chester-le-Street schools, The Hermitage and Park View Community schools, are to team up with young people from France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain and Slovakia in a week of activities.

The Sport's Stars initiative is part of Durham County Council's plans to celebrate European Year of Education through sport. It is funded by the European Youth Programme and runs from February 7 to 14. About 50 young people will take part, trying out games from each country and producing a new game to teach younger children about Europe. They will also visit Newcastle United's ground.

Sarah Dunn, of the county council's International Office, said it was an ideal chance for young people to get to know their European counterparts. She said: "One of the aims of the European Year of Education through Sport is to get young people from across Europe working closer together and to strengthen many of the values linked to sport, such as working as a team, tolerance and solidarity."