TWO thousand schoolchildren will descend on RAF Leeming next week as part of a safety exercise in North Yorkshire

Representing schools from across Hambleton and Richmondshire, they are taking part in the annual Crucial Crew campaign.

Safety chiefs will be giving the youngsters lessons in how to tackle emergencies and 11 scenarios are being staged for the exercise - a joint campaign organised by Hambleton District Council and North Yorkshire Police.

The ten and 11-year-olds, from 80 schools, will attend two-hour sessions over the two-week exercise. They get the chance to react to difficult situations and to dial 999- manned telephone lines.

They are also taught the dangers around the home and garden and on the beach, how to deal with a fire and road traffic accident, and how to deal with strangers or use victim support services.

Building site safety is on the agenda and for the first time, anti-bullying is included in the personal safety scenario.

Environmental health officer Kevin Hardisty said: "If we help to save just one person's life, the entire exercise has been worthwhile."