CHINESE dragons, lanterns and even Chinese eye exercises have been on the agenda this week for schools staging an oriental festival.

Five County Durham primaries are taking part in a week-long celebration of China following a trip by a delegation of headteachers to the continent earlier this year.

The teachers had been invited by Chinese education bosses wanting to learn expertise from English teachers.

Yesterday, a Chinese community artist visited Sacriston Junior School where he worked with children to create a 40ft Chinese dragon. He also helped pupils create Chinese lanterns decorated with Chinese characters and origami sculptures.

Headteacher Pauline Warren said: "Chinese children do formal exercises every morning, so after lunchtime the whole school has been outside doing exercises, including secretaries and dinner staff. We've also been doing Chinese eye exercises using acupuncture points, which the schools do twice a day to relax the eyes."

Other schools taking part include are Cockton Hill Infants in Bishop Auckland, Catchgate Primary, near Stanley, Langley Park Primary, near Durham, and Crook Primary School.

Throughout the festival week pupils have been learning about Chinese literature and art and have had the chance to try Chinese cookery and kite-making.