PUPILS have been given an insight into the harsh realities of life, at a session designed to highlight safety issues.

Darlington Primary Care Trust and the police staged the event for 12 and 13-year-olds at the town's Eastbourne Comprehensive School.

To help get the message across, a 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 became pregnant after being drugged at a party.

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, which coincided with National Safety Week, was organised by Darlington Primary Care Trust school nurses Karen Watson and Cheryl Dunn.

The session covered issues surrounding sex, drugs, alcohol and smoking, with expert advice and information available from several stalls.