SCHOOLCHILDREN will go mad for maths as part of a scheme to promote the attractions of arithmetic.

"Add Ings Up" at Ings Farm Primary School, in Redcar, will involve each of its 400 pupils in a series of imaginative activities taking place throughout next week.

The main hall will be transformed into a maze of about 20 maths puzzles and games, and the event organisers are crossing their fingers for good weather, to enable them to turn the playground into an outdoor classroom.

The week will serve as a double celebration of the national Maths Year 2000 scheme, and the second year of the school's National Numeracy Strategy.

Parents are also being invited to join in, through information packs and invitations to visit the various activities.

Helen Malbon, the school's maths coordinator, said: "We're hoping it will be a really good experience. The aim is to get the children active in learning about maths in a fun way, and we've devised a lot for them to do.

"They'll definitely enjoy it.