FLAGS of many nations were flying proudly as a delegation of teachers and pupils from eight European counties arrived at a Swindon primary school.

The 18 teachers and six pupils were given a warm welcome by about 300 children at the gates of Westlea Primary School yesterday as part of the Comenius Project, an EU cultural exchange initiative.

The small delegation looked at the children’s artwork and today they will be treated to a cultural spectacular of music, arts and dance, performed by children from the school.

Louise Miles, who co-ordinates the project locally with fellow teacher Jayne Dickinson, said: “For the children it’s about understanding the similarities and differences between them and other European children, so its closing that gap.

“But also they are learning a huge amount about our country - the important artists and important monuments and the important pieces of work that have gone on throughout out history. The visit brings it to life a bit for them, makes it real.”

The delegates were from Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, Turkey, France, Greece, and the Republic of Ireland.

The Westlea pupils waited at the school and a handful of pupils and teachers were dressed in traditional costume from various countries.

As the delegates arrived, the children started singing their own special words to the tune of Happy and You Know It, which included a greeting in nine European languages.

Macenzie Collins, 11, who was dressed as an Italian, said: “I really liked it because the Italian people are really nice and it was really fun to do.

“The Comenius Project brings all the European people to our school which is really good.”

The delegates looked at drawings and models, which the Westlea children had created of different historic European monuments and buildings.

Later in the week, they will visit local landmarks such as Stonehenge, before going on a trip to London and then heading home at the weekend.

Patrick Morales, international project co-ordinator, said: “It was a warm welcome here in Westlea. We appreciated the ceremony – bright and colourful – and it was presented with all the costumes and flags.

“We have been working for three years with this school and we were looking forward to visiting the school.”