STUDENTS in Pendle will work with pupils in Germany and France to create a "virtual art gallery" on the Internet by the end of a three-year project.

Schools with access to the "information superhighway" would be able to browse around art, graphics and other work by students at Mansfield High School, Brierfield, and its Euro partners.

The project is part of ambitious plans at Mansfield launched after the school successfully applied for Euro cash to set up the information technology scheme with schools on the Continent.

Mansfield's IT manager John Patino explained: "In the first year we are looking to produce a book of students' work.

"In the second year we hope to get a CD ROM of work together which could be used by other schools and, in the third year, we're aiming to launch the virtual reality gallery.

"Initially the project will involve Year 10 and 11 pupils but eventually it could extend throughout the school.

"As well as involving art and IT there is also scope for teaching foreign languages because it involves our European partners, literature and design.

"In fact by the end most subjects could be involved in some way or other."

Spanish teachers recently visited Mansfield with a view to getting involved in the project.

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