Young Francesca Deanes and Toby Blackburn enjoy a taste of the Orient as their North Yorkshire playgroup takes a trip to the Far East.

The four-year-olds were tucking into the traditional food of China as part of Bishopthorpe pre-school playgroup's celebrations for the Chinese New Year. As well as noodles and chopsticks, the youngsters have been making an Oriental snake, to mark the year of the snake.

Supervisor Anita Hamman said: "It is part of the curriculum that we celebrate festivals of other countries to make the children aware of other cultures. It certainly has had an effect. Toby wants to know why he can't eat Chinese food every day."

Updated: 10:41 Wednesday, January 24, 2001