THE tale behind the Blaydon Races and the legend of the Lambton Worm could soon be on the curriculum for pupils in Germany.

Music teacher Joyce Shaw, 57, has won a grant to teach North-East folklore in a German school, in the pilot project for a cultural exchange.

Mrs Shaw is one of only two teachers from the region and 18 from across England to win a place on the project, which is sponsored by the British Council.

She will swap Greencroft School in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, County Durham, for the town of Bergdorf, near Hanover, for two weeks. She will teach North-East folklore using music.

"I think northern Germany is a lot like North-East England - the people have the same sense of humour," she said.

"I am looking forward to teaching them about the Blaydon Races and the Lambton Worm and also learning about their folklore and folk music.

"The town of Hamelin, which the legend of the Pied Piper comes from, is not far from Bergdorf, so I am sure they will have plenty to teach me."

She also hopes to exchange ideas of good practice. "At Greencroft School, we run a peer mentor scheme, where older pupils help others and I am hoping to take this over with me," she said.

Mrs Shaw is also keen to find out more about the German system that makes parents pay for extra lessons if their child is lazy or disruptive.

"Over there, the pupils and their parents have to account for themselves, rather than the schools doing it through league tables. If a child has an attitude problem, the parents have to sort it out."

Mrs Shaw will compile a 20-page report to the British Council on her return and is giving up her February half-term holiday to take part. She will also have to get used to early starts - lessons in German schools start at 7.30am.

But she is determined to make the visit a success, despite not being able to speak a word of the language. "I am the only one going who can't speak German, but I am taking a crash course," she said.