PATRIOTIC Maggie Sydnor was today bringing a touch of Independence Day magic to East Lancashire -- thanks to a game of watermelon seed spitting!

The teacher from Baltimore, Maryland, was determined not to miss out on the celebrations as she spent her first ever July 4 away from home, living in Read.

Maggie joined forces with pupils at Moor End Infant School, White Ash Lane, Oswaldtwistle, where she has spent the last 12 months as part of a teacher exchange programme, with Kath Stevenson from the school going the other way.

Along with organising lessons on an American theme she is showing the children a new game... seed spitting.

She enthused: "It is a game we always play on Independence Day with water melon seeds. The person who can spit it the furthest always wins. I just hope I can find some watermelons in this country. "Of course, it won't be the same as Independence Day back home because it is just the biggest day of the year with everyone having barbecues, parties and parades.

"But I hope the children get an impression of what it is like. It will certainly be strange for me."

And as she packs her bags and prepares to head for home after her year in East Lancashire, the 55-year-old, who convinced her husband Jim to move to Britain for a year, knows she will be taking more than just luggage home -- she will have a full address book and plenty of fond memories too.

She said: "The year I have had here is one I will never forget I know I have made a lot of wonderful friends here.

"The people in Read have been really nice, and words cannot describe how great everybody at the school has been.

"They have really opened their hearts to me."

Maggie, who normally teaches at Pinewood Elementary School in Baltimore, added: "Everyone told me to expect really unusual food but I think it is just a case of us calling them something different to you. I've eaten everything that has been put in front of me, and I can't understand where the stories about school dinners have come from. I really will miss Britain."

One thing she won't miss though is the weather. She said: "Ugh! The dark nights have made me go absolutely potty and the rain is non-stop. I can't wait for some good weather."

Picture: Maggie Sydnor celebrates Independence Day at Moorend Primary School with pupils Jayne Allen, ten (left), and Aimee Alty, six