CHILDREN learned about African culture when a professional artist taught them drama, dance and tie-dying in a series of workshops.

Artist Marie Coffi visited Bullion Lane Primary School, in Chester-le-Street, as part of the Small World Big Dream festival.

A multi-cultural event, the festival was run in County Durham and Sunderland by the art-in-education agency, The Forge.

Miss Coffi was one of ten artists from around the world who took part in 117 workshops at 63 schools.

At Bullion Lane, she spent three days working with children from reception class to year four.

Teacher Catherine Horne said: "She showed the children how they make tie-dying clothes in Africa and some children made their own tie-dyes. To see their little faces when they saw these lovely patterns that had been created was wonderful."