NORTH-East teachers have flown out to Estonia for a European education conference.

The nine, from schools in Gateshead, set off yesterday for the event in the country's capital Tallinn.

They will share their experiences of new technology with other delegates at the three-day conference.

Gateshead Council hopes the teachers' involvement will help boost the joint bid with Newcastle for European Capital of Culture.

A council spokesman said: "Gateshead Council's schools have developed a long-standing expertise in using computers in subjects as diverse as art and business studies.

"This expertise will now be given international prominence at the conference, which has been targeted at teachers and educational experts from across Europe.

"The teachers will also be looking for projects and ideas in Estonia that they can use to further develop lessons back home."