THE beat of a bongo drum had pupils and staff dancing in the aisles during a school assembly in County Durham.

More than 150 children and teachers at Montalbo Road Primary School, Barnard Castle, joined in with South African dancer Raymond Otto when he visited the school.

The Soweto-born entertainer taught the basic rules of rhythm and even had some of the pupils' parents joining in.

Mr Otto, who visited the Teesdale school as part of a tour of the country, has promised to return next April.

Headteacher Gillian Gallagher said his visit had given pupils and staff a real thrill, and they could not wait for him to come back.

Mr Otto, from Leeds, bases his teaching on original South African music which he learnt during his childhood in Soweto.