The Eurolearn project aims to develop pupils' geography, literacy and numeracy skills in a fun and topical way.

The initiative is based on the 50th anniversary of the European Union and has been written by the Belfast Telegraph's Newspapers in Education Executive Jennifer O'Reilly, a former teacher.

More than 1,000 pupils from across the province have already registered after information was sent out to schools.

Every school will receive a free digital camera for every 20 pupils they register. Twenty-eight pupils and three teachers from one school - selected at random - will also be sent on a fantastic school trip to Belgium for three nights.

They will stay in Brussels, visit the European Parliament with local MEPs, travel to the battlefields and visit a chocolate factory.

Each participating pupil will receive a colour workbook containing elements of geography, history and citizenship awareness.

The key stage 2 pupils will be able to take part in independent research and writing as well as group activity.

The full education programme costs just 90p per pupil.

Mrs O'Reilly said: "Our children need to be aware of how European Union membership impacts on their lives now and in the future.

"There is already marvellous work going on in schools through the various EU schemes like Comenius where schools are linked to other schools across Europe.

"Our new Newspapers in Education project hopes to provide another dimension to that study, using the newspaper as the central resource.

"I'm grateful to Jonathan Stewart of the British Council for his support during the writing of the booklet and I hope both teachers and pupils will enjoy using it."

Belfast Telegraph editor Martin Lindsay said: "This exciting programme will widen local children's knowledge of Europe through a fun programme, which ends with one school being given the opportunity to go on a class trip to Belgium.

"The initiative will also enable us to once again deliver valuable educational resources to primary schools across Northern Ireland."

Jonathan Stewart, from the British Council, said: "The British Council are glad to support this initiative as it provides an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of the European Union on this its 50th anniversary year. "

Bronagh Henderson, brand manager with project sponsors Ballygowan, said: " I would like to congratulate the Belfast Telegraph on its invaluable and ongoing contribution to our province's schools and I wish all the teachers and pupils every success with the project."

KEY DATES

Deadline for registration: April 25.

To register, call 0800 0285101.

• Deadline for workbooks: May 4

• Project start date: May 9

• Project end date: June 13

• Delivery of cameras: June

What every pupil will receive

• A 16-page colour workbook filled with newspaper activities themed on the European Union and a page of sticker flags.

• A copy of the morning compact Belfast Telegraph each Wednesday for six weeks as the main classroom resource with a dedicated page for activities.

• A glossy colour EU poster.

• A certificate of achievement for each participating pupil.