LESSONS are continuing for pupils in the country - even though they cannot get to school because of foot-and-mouth.

Youngsters who live near affected farms, or whose school has been closed by the outbreak, are keeping up with their studies via the Internet.

Hamsterley Primary School, in County Durham, has been shut since last week, after an outbreak of the disease was confirmed in the village.

Some pupils at Forest in Teesdale School, the county's smallest school, are staying at home for fear of spreading the disease.

Durham County Council chief executive Kingsley Smith told the executive committee: "Teachers are doing a sterling job in still trying to provide education to children using the Internet and other very creative methods.

"We wouldn't expect children off an infected farm, or living within one kilometre of an infected farm, to go to school.