A school has become the first in its town to get its own nurse.

Cynthia Alder has been appointed as the dedicated nurse at Brierton School, in Hartlepool, after headteacher Stuart Priestley and community health representatives came up with the idea of having a health official in school.

They put the idea to Hartlepool's Primary Care Trust and found funding for the post from the Teesside Health Action Zone.

One of Ms Alder's first tasks was to stage a number of "quit smoking" sessions with the pupils to warn them of the dangers of smoking.

She has also helped pupils to develop baby-sitting skills by using computerised babies.

Ms Alder said: "As well as dealing with the traditional health matters in the school I think the children see me as someone they can talk to about all sorts of issues.

"During school holidays I spend time developing health-related initiatives with the local community," she said.

Following in Brierton School's footsteps, Dyke House School in the town is also appointing a dedicated nurse.