Richmond pupils helped give children an insight into the harsh realities of life at a session designed to highlight safety issues.

Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the police staged the event for children aged 12 and 13 from Eastbourne Comprehensive School, in Darlington.

To help get the message over, a specially commissioned play was performed by sixth form students from Richmond School.

Students Ralph Parham, Rachel Roger, Michael Brunsden and Samantha Banner wrote and performed the drama in which a teenager becomes pregnant after being drugged by a party-goer.

Eastbourne School's head of drama Belinda Cunningham said: "Pupils can identify with the young people in the play whereas they are less likely to take advice from adults."

The day, part of National Safety Week, covered issues surrounding sex, drugs, alcohol and smoking.

Darlington police officer PC Adrian Rutter told the children: "You are living in a society where taking drugs appears to be the norm - well it isn't.

"Alcohol is the most dangerous drug because it is accepted by society. But it changes people's personality and can lead to violence, which isn't acceptable either."