PRIMARY school children brought an oriental dragon to life to celebrate the forthcoming Chinese New Year.
By painting the second eye on the head of a 30ft paper dragon in a traditional Chinese ceremony pupils at Cockton Hill Infant School, in Bishop Auckland made the creature come alive and named it Firestar.
Youngsters had made the dragon with artists Lip Lee and Mel Todd, with whom they have worked for a series of activities that have embraced Eastern culture.
Headteacher John Redman said it was important for the school to hold celebration as it encouraged pupils to appreciate another way of life.
Mr Redman was among a delegation of headteachers from five County Durham primary schools who visited China in 2001 to share education expertise and traditions. Pupils have since made kites, sampled Chinese cuisine and learned a dragon dance, and used the language.
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