PUPILS from six primary schools were given an early taste of adult life at a two-day event aimed at encouraging them to work hard and raise their aspirations.

Parkside Comprehensive School, Willington, organised the event, called The Sky is the Limit, for 180 year six children from Willington primary, Willington CE, Hunwick, Sunnybrow, Crook primary and Hartside schools.

A day-long series of drama and information technology workshops were held at Parkside, before pupils and staff moved on to Bishop Auckland College where they took part in language lessons, brickwork and joinery, more drama, problem solving, hair and beauty and tower building exercises.

Hilary Armstrong, MP for North-West Durham, presented the children with special achievement certificates.

She said: "What Sky is the Limit is saying to these children is that they can do all sorts of things they never thought about doing."