CHILDREN from a Middlesbrough school have been learning about working in the leisure and tourism industry at Tom Leonard's Mining Museum.

Year ten pupils from Ormesby Comprehensive School saw how underground explosions are simulated and how the voluntary organisation is run.

The students also offered staff advice on how to make the history of ironstone mining interesting to children.

The visit was the highlight of last week's tour of tourist attractions in the region, which included Hartlepool Historic Quay and Kirkleatham Hall Museum, as well as leisure centres and libraries.

Mike O'Brien, deputy headteacher at the school, said: "The applied GCSE in leisure and tourism is a practical course which teaches pupils the skills needed to work in the industry."

"That is why last week was ideal for our pupils as they saw how the skills they have learned are put into practice in the real working world.

"It is a fun and varied week which will motivate them and raise aspirations."

The week was organised by learn2work Tees Valley and the North East Museums Libraries and Archives Council (Nemlac).

Nemlac's lifelong learning development officer Nicola Bell said: "This initiative is a brilliant way for us to promote a positive image of libraries and museums to young people.

"Traditionally, they have a reputation for being boring, stuffy and for older people, but this week will prove to pupils that they can be interesting places to work."