PUPILS and teachers are linking up with colleagues from across the world, thanks to a pioneering scheme.

Greenlands Community Infant School, in South Moor, near Stanley, is taking part in the Comenius Project, run by the British Council. It enables children and staff to get in touch with communities in Norway, Malta and Portugal.

Deputy headteacher Gail Wilson said: "We have our own website and the children correspond via e-mails and post each other cards."

As part of the scheme Mrs Wilson has visited Malta and Portugal, while two other teachers travelled to Norway this month. Greenlands will return the favour when groups from other partner countries visit in October.

Pupils took part in Mother Nature's Workshop, where they made Easter and Christmas cards from recycled materials and sent them to their pen pals. They have also posted poems about the Stanley area on the website.

As part of its bid for International School status, the school has hosted a Polish student, Pavel Pinko, for the past nine months.

He helped organise a Polish day, with songs, dancing and food from his homeland.

"It is a great project for the kids to be involved in," said Mrs Wilson. "They can compare cultures and the places they live."