Latin has come, seen and conquered Norfolk.

A two-year pilot to teach the ancient language in North Walsham area schools has proved so successful that, from September, the project will be expanded into Aylsham and Dereham as well.

Scores of North Walsham pupils, from the town's high school and seven of its cluster primaries, celebrated their learning with a day of roman-themed activities at Norwich Castle yesterday - and they will be back again today.

Spokesman Jane Maguire said Norfolk had been selected by the charity Classics for All as one of only two areas in the country to be a special case study area to exemplify good practice in introducing Latin into state schools and the charity would now be funding further projects in two high schools and nine primaries in Aylsham and Dereham.

Staff at the North Walsham schools have been trained to carry on teaching Latin when their project ends.