YOUNGSTERS mistakenly believed the editor of The Northern Echo was a psychiatrist or a farmer during a fun game of What's My Line?

The six and seven-year-old pupils at Whinfield Infant School, Darlington, were attempting to guess the occupations of four professionals from the town from a series of clues.

The grown-ups had to perform a mime, show the pupils a piece of equipment they use in their jobs, draw a picture of something associated with their work and answer questions to provide extra clues.

The editor of The Northern Echo, Peter Barron, mimed an interview, produced a notebook and pen, drew a picture of a computer and answered their questions.

He said later: "It was great fun. I was delighted to be involved, but I was slightly shocked to be mistaken as a psychiatrist by one little boy, and a farmer by another!"

The other adults taking part were Sallyann Wheatley, from Ann Cordey Estate Agents, Jaqui Campbell, a revenue officer at Darlington tax office, and Paul Willis, nursery manager at Flora House Day Nursery, in Coniscliffe Road.

Headteacher Sheila Williams said that the What's My Line event gave the youngsters a greater awareness of the variety of jobs available, while developing their logic, team-work and questioning skills.

"It worked absolutely brilliantly," she said.

"The children did feel it was hard work. They had to really use their thinking skills, and the discussions that were taking place were very interesting and quite mature."