AN annual training scheme to make youngsters more aware of personal safety gets under way next week.

More than 1,100 ten and 11-year-olds, from Hartlepool's primary schools, will attend the Crucial Crew event at the British Energy Training Centre, at Hartlepool Power Station from Tuesday to October 12.

The intention is to provide an enjoyable way for children to become more aware of personal safety, teach them how to react to dangerous situations and provide them with an opportunity to practice safety skills in an exciting but safe environment.

Crucial Crew is a multi-agency initiative,supported by Hartlepool Borough Council, CE Electric-UK, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Hartlepool Primary Care Trust, Cleveland Police, HM Coastguard and Network Rail.

Scenarios will cover fire, kitchen, electrical, railway, building site and firework safety as well as safety at the coast.

The lessons link to work being carried out by schools involved in the Hartlepool Healthy Schools initiative.

Emma Thompson, the council's principal health and environment officer, and a member of the Crucial Crew committee, said: "The knowledge the children gain from attending Crucial Crew can be carried out into the wider community and used in their everyday lives. Over the years, more than 15,500 children have attended the event."

She thanked British Energy Generation Ltd (Hartlepool), the schools, the Hartlepool Healthy School initiative, Neighbourhood Renewal and the Local Network Fund for supporting the event.