COLLEGE students in Darlington have been building bridges in more ways than one.

Year seven pupils at Carmel Technology College were given the opportunity to create large-scale structures, with the help of experts.

At an event presented by Martin Jennings, of the Cambridge-based Architecture Workshops, the youngsters explored design principles which have been used to create landmarks such as the London and York Millennium Bridges.

The workshop's theme of building bridges also coincided with the college's efforts to establish links with Lejoelaputsoa Primary School, in South Africa.

Pupils have been writing letters to their African counterparts following a visit to the country by a team of Darlington teachers.