A PROJECT to help young people learn about different cultures in an effort to tackle hate crime has celebrated a successful first term.

Year six pupils have learnt Chinese calligraphy, Bollywood dancing and African singing and drumming as part of the Tending Junior Warden Project. They also met with 16-year-old Syrian refugee Zak, who now lives in Colchester, also told of his experiences of hate crime.

A celebration event, at Princes Theatre, Clacton, gave the 218 children – from Alresford, Frinton, Rolph, St Andrew’s and St Clare’s Primary Schools and Great Clacton Junior School – an opportunity to show their parents what they had been learning.

Pupils from Alresford Primary School gave a demonstration of African drumming.

The initiative was funded by £10,000 from the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s community safety development fund and organised by Tendring Council.

Insp Darren Deex, of Clacton Police, said: “This project is nothing short of remarkable.

“Essex Police works hard to prevent and detect hate crime and support those people who become victims of this type of crime.

Education is absolutely the key to prevention which is why we wholeheartedly support this project and have been delighted to see the way our local children have embraced learning about other cultures.”

A booklet featuring poems and literature created by pupils was also launched at the showcase.

Lynda McWilliams, Tendring councillor responsible for health and education, said: “It has been a marvellous celebration event. The success achieved here is amazing."