UP, UP and away went hundreds of gas-filled balloons to mark the end of York's Timewarp 2000.

Children and teachers from 35 York area schools met in the Joseph Rowntree Theatre yesterday to mark the end of the Timewarp project which put the Millennium into its context of Christianity.

Almost 7,000 children have taken part in Timewarp 2000 over the past eight months, attending performances in York Barbican centre or using teaching packs which trace the impact of Christianity in York and the world over 2,000 years.

Yesterday, York MP Hugh Bayley presented a celebration booklet to children representing schools which took part; while York director of education Mike Peters paid tribute to the project and to the growing partnership between the local education authority and the York Schools and Youth Trust (YOYO).

Timewarp was dreamed up by David Godfrey, YOYO schools worker, who visited 47 schools, and sang and acted for 3,000 children.

An exhibition of children's work on the project will be on show at the Barbican Centre, York, from June 26 to July 21.