TEENAGERS at a Shildon school are spreading an anti-smoking message among thousands of other young people.

Work by Sunnydale pupils will feature in a booklet and on posters for No Smoking Day on March 9.

Sunnydale is one of three schools from Sedgefield Borough to get involved in the initiative launched by the Sedgefield Primary Care Trust's public health improvement team.

Horndale School in Newton Aycliffe and The Meadows in Spennymoor, are also involved.

Artist Darren Cairns, from Teesside Play and Learn, worked with year nine pupils at Sunnydale to create artwork for the scheme.

Their work will be photographed and will appear on posters and in a booklet reflecting the views of young people about smoking.

Annie Pluse, from the trust, said: "The purpose of the project is to raise awareness about tobacco and smoke control issues and to look at how these affect young people.

"What we hope to produce is a pure reflection of their thoughts as representatives for young people in the borough.

"We're not here just to persuade them against smoking, but to make them think about how smoking affects the body and the environment, how it makes people feel, and about the issue of passive smoking."