International kite fliers Robert Trepanier, Robert Valkenburgh and Robert Brasington showed children how to make their own flying creations in preparation for this weekend's International Friendship Festival.

Children from Hudson Road and Valley Road Primary Schools and members of the Bangladeshi Centre in Hendon were given the opportunity to take part in workshops with specialist kite maker Frances Anderson and the three Roberts.

The youngsters not only got the chance to build their own kites, but also to make wind instruments including bamboo organs, wind chimes and tin-can harps.

The children's work will be displayed at the festival on Saturday and Sunday.

In keeping with the festival's international theme, the professional fliers have travelled thousands of miles to share their skills and inspire others to become interested in the art of kite-making.

Robert Trepanier, who is known for his large-scale figurative kites, has travelled from Montreal in Canada to showcase his kites of dogs and people.

Robert Brasington, who has travelled from Tasmania, bases his kites on architecture and the natural world.

Robert Valkenburgh, who makes chimes, instruments and vibrating strings that play in the wind, has travelled from Amsterdam.

He said: "It was really interesting spending time with each of the children and seeing how they interpret their own ideas when making kites, and I'm looking forward to seeing the results on display at the Friendship Festival."

A total of 39 international kite fliers have confirmed attendance for the festival, which will take place at the Northern Area Playing Fields in Washington from 11am to 5pm on both days.

As well as featuring the popular kite festival, the free event plays host to street theatre, exhibitions, family craft activities, storytelling, international cuisine and world music.

Sunderland city councillor James Blackburn said the free festival had been very popular for 24 years and this year would have a strong creative theme.