A VILLAGE school welcomed friends from Norway and Belgium as part of an international links project.

Staff from schools in Ghent and Oslo visited Bowburn Infants and Nursery School, in Bowburn, near Durham, as part of the Comenius project.

They introduced Bowburn school children to life in their home countries before taking a trip to Durham, which included shopping and climbing the tower of Durham Cathedral.

Doll and teddy bear mascots have also been exchanged between the schools.

Trish Gelder, International School Co-Ordinator at Bowburn Infants and Nursery School, said: "The visiting teachers were very impressed by the teaching at our school.

"They were amazed at the good behaviour, the standard of independent learning and the happiness and politeness of the children of Bowburn."