HUNDREDS of diners enjoyed a taste of Thailand at an event at Darlington College.

Organisers teamed up with the town's Phutawan Restaurant as part of an initiative to work with local employers.

Staff from the Parkgate restaurant helped present an evening of food and dance.

Thai chefs prepared a four-course buffet while images of Thailand were projected promoting life in their country.

The evening marked the start of a partnership that will see Thai chefs teaching students how to cook and prepare their country's food.

Maria Harrop, of the college, said: "We were absolutely delighted with the response from the public and the restaurant staff did a superb job with everyone having a thoroughly enjoyable time.

"This is just the start of a link that will be developed at the new college and we hope to organise more events like this in the future."

Traditional Thai dancer Sun Beasley performed three dances for the diners. She has been dancing since she was six and studied at the Sukhothai Dramatic Art College in Thailand.

Now living in Middleton St George, she offers dance classes and can be contacted on (01325) 401370.