SCHOOL children in York have welcomed European exchange students and created a willow dome together to symbolise their shared European identity.

The pupils from Lakeside Primary built the dome along with 25 European students, from four countries, as part of a Erasmus European partnership.

They were also helped by volunteers from Portakabin, and Lord Mayor of York, Sonja Crisp.

Lakeside teacher Janette Hill said: “The partnership has been such an exciting and valuable project here at Lakeside Primary, with students throughout the school embracing different cultures and values. We have had three very successful visits in European schools and our children have relished the opportunity given to us.”

She thanked the volunteers, and those who had donated materials for the project.

The Lakeside pupils have already visited some of the partner countries and in November 2014, four children from Lakeside Primary travelled to southern Spain to see what life is like in a Spanish school. Following the success, four children ventured to Liden in Sweden in spring of last year and then a further four to Warsaw in Poland in autumn - all helping to build a dome at each of the participating schools.