ON the day news broke that the Millennium Dome was to receive another cash handout, children from the county discovered that its millions had on the whole been money well spent, writes CATHERINE SHOVLIN.

Young people from Ledbury were among those who headed to the capital's major attraction on Monday for Herefordshire's 'Day in the Dome'.

Three 20-minute shows were staged in the 600-seater theatre as part of the 'Our Town Story' project, titled Ledbury Lives.

Pupils from the Ledbury partnership of schools had artwork depicting life in the county displayed outside the auditorium, along with information from the Herefordshire Tourist Office.

They got to spend five hours there, in which time the children clearly showed that their favourite zones were the play area and the fantasy island with its mock beach.

The trapeze artists and stilt walkers in the Millennium Show were also a big hit.

And while controversy was aroused by the revelation that the Greenwich one-year project was to receive a further £29 million to add to the £509 million already spent, the youngsters learned the value of money.

Much Marcle Primary School head Sue Hughes said they enjoyed being given the opportunity to spend £1 million in one minute, which they did with no bother! "That gave them a good awareness that it is much easier spending than it is saving."

Although some of the zones were not as interesting or educational as had been hoped, the Dome still got a thumbs up from its Herefordshire visitors.