South African Zola Sibeko, who fought alongside Nelson Mandela during apartheid, is due to visit Settle Primary School later this month.

Mr Sibeko, who now lives in Tynemouth, was originally the village chief of Kwezana village where Settle’s link school is based.

His visit comes after Jennifer Mbatani, principal of Kwezana Primary School, spent a few days at Settle and, with a free rail pass donated by the Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company, travelled to the North East to meet Mr Sibeko.

She was able to show what improvements had been made at Kwezana School and highlighted the link between South African pupils and Settle youngsters. Mr Sibeko agreed to visit Settle and talk to the year six pupils who are studying war and conflict.