PUPILS at a Durham school swapped text books for TV tubes with the help of Philips Components.

More than 200 Year Nine pupils at Framwellgate School took part in an industry day which was designed to give them experience of the working world.

The pupils were split into groups, with each being set a task by Philips and the other organisations taking part, which included the Newcastle Falcons, Durham University and Sunderland AFC.

Joyce Anson and Kathleen Lewis, operators based at the plant's electron gun preparation unit, took along electron guns, one of the components used in the production of a television tube and which require over 50 separate production processes.

The pupils were then set the task of distinguishing which were faulty based on the detailed pictures they were given.

Steve Goddard, the school's Business Link coordinator, said: "The Industry Day is an excellent example of schools and local businesses forging mutually beneficial links, which we hope will lead to further projects in the future."

Richard Woods, training and staff development manager at Philips, said: "We are always keen to get involved in these type of projects. It is of course very important that young people are given every opportunity to learn about work which can also help with career choices."

Philips has been running an ambassador scheme for the past six years where its staff, usually apprentices, work with local schools and colleges in the area.

Sited on the Belmont Industrial Estate in Durham, Philips is the biggest private sector employer in the city with about 1,000 staff.