YOUNGSTERS are being taught how to care for animals in an attempt to put an end to the region's appalling record on animal cruelty.

Last week, The Northern Echo reported how the region came top for the eighth year running for having the worst record in animal cruelty in the country.

Now the RSPCA has begun to employ school education officers in an attempt to turn the record around.

Becky Ward, one of the officers, said that seven officers were working throughout the North-East with youngsters from three to 18 years old.

She said: "We encourage them to care for animals and, with the younger children, it is about animal welfare, but, with the older children, we look at research animals as well.

"We feel that if they understand more about what animals need and get that into them from a young age it will affect their future development."

The lessons are part of citizenship and social development classes and the charity is also working with teachers to see how the messages can be got across as part of every- day lessons.

The scheme was piloted in Leeds and was thought to be successful enough to be tried in other areas, although it will be some time before the true results of the initiative are known.