EAST Durham youngsters will get lessons in safety when they return to school next week.

Up to 1,400 pupils from 34 primary schools will take part in the nine-day Safety Carousel run by the county's police and other agencies.

The event, which starts at East Durham and Houghall Community College, Peterlee, on Monday, will feature a series of workshops looking at different aspects of safety.

The ten and 11-year-olds will be presented with dangerous scenarios to help them understand the perils they might come across in everyday life.

British Transport Police will warn about playing near railway lines, and East Durham and Hartlepool NHS Trust nurses will explain dangers in the home and garden.

Northern Electric and Gas, HM Coastguard, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, the North-East Ambulance Service will also take part in the workshops along with police community safety officers.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ewart said: "This project offers enormous benefits with regard to the welfare and safety of young people in the Easington area, which is something we take very seriously indeed.

"Feedback from previous carousels indicates youngsters are taking the positive messages they learn home with them, which proves the project's worth."

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Anne Ward, who is organising the event, said: "This is an excellent multi-agency partnership project through which we can get across a series of important safety messages to lots of young children in a relatively short space of time.

"It provides a stimulating environment and workshops operate in such a way that learning is fun.

"We are very grateful to the college for hosting the carousel for another year and to the agencies taking part."

The first youngsters to take part will be from Hutton Henry Church of England School, Wheatley Hill Community Primary School, St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School at Blackhall and Haswell Primary School. Youngsters from Peterlee's North Blunts Primary School will take part in the afternoon.

The event will be held every school day until Thursday, May 3.