THE first children have taken part in an ambitious education programme thanks to the Somerset County Gazette's 'Stop It Before It Starts' campaign.

The project, which has been championed by the County Gazette in the largest campaign in the newspaper's 168-year history, got underway this week to teach primary school youngsters about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

The £120,000 scheme, run in conjunction with charity Somerset Life Education Centres, has put a mobile classroom on the road to visit schools across Taunton Deane, West Somerset and Sedgemoor.

The classroom, specially fitted with teaching equipment, pulled into Bishop's Hull Primary School on Wednesday with trained educator Kate Richards.

The first group of children to climb aboard were 22 Year 6 pupils who took part in a 90-minute teaching programme focusing on assertiveness training, health choices, a discussion on drugs, tobacco and alcohol, and a drama workshop.

Over three days all 220 pupils at the primary school will take part in special workshop programmes aboard the mobile classroom.

Kate, who underwent specialist training to work with youngsters, said: "It's great that we're finally here and getting the project up and running."

For the full story, see this week's Somerset County Gazette.