TWO West Devon schools have been celebrating the culmination of a European partnership project, linking them with children, staff and schools abroad.

Okehampton Primary School had a continental feeling to it this past week as pupils and teachers from sister schools in Germany and Italy visited the school as the final part of the Comenius project.

Comenius is a project sponsored by the British Council that encourages children to learn about cultural differences in European countries.

Okehampton's project was entitled the 'WinDoors' project, and encouraged children from different cultures to share stories, activities, songs and festivities, with an emphasis on 'looking out and looking in.'

The European schools involved were Direzione Didattica Statale, from the town of Torre del Greco in Italy, and Franziskus Grunschule from Dortmund. The project has lasted two years and built strong bonds between the schools.

Mrs Finch, year 5 teacher at Okehampton Primary, said: 'We have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities that the WinDoors Project has given our school to learn more about cultural differences and similarities between our European societies.

'Children and staff have embraced the experience of making new European friends and we now look forward to continuing our relationships between the 4 participating schools.'

Three pupils and seven teachers visited Devon as part of the trip.

On April 1, all of the school's visitors from Germany and Italy, and pupils from St Andrew's Primary in Buckland Monachorum enjoyed an evening meal at the Fountain Inn in Okehampton.

Over the following weekend, activities included an introduction to letter boxing around Rowtor, which tested team skills and navigation abilities.

That evening the school's visitors also had the chance to experience a Ceilidh at the Charter Hall, with music from the Walter Shortage and the Hosepipe Banned.

A performance from singer Rosa Rebecka Slater Lyons ensured the evening also had a European feel.

The following day, school's guests participated in the family service at Fairplace Church. Sunday Club children joined in with their German visitors to celebrate Mothering Sunday, and the children handed out cake to the congregation.

A trip to Morwellham Quay followed, where the guests got to experience the strictness of a Victorian classroom, and had plenty of fun dressing up in traditional Victorian costume.

The trip culminated in a visit to Okehampton Primary School where the guests got to learn about life in a modern-day English classroom.

The final project celebrations took place that afternoon, with display and presentation ceremonies.

Among the guests were the mayor and mayoress, and West Devon Borough Cllr Christine Marsh, all visiting to see the positive work of the project.

Cllr Marsh, who attended the event, said: 'The scheme is absolutely brilliant.

'It's nice to see the children so enthusiastic about engaging with different cultures, and other children from different schools.'