SHOPPERS and visitors to a coastal resort found life-saving messages between the candy floss stalls and kiss-me-quick hats.

Led by the mayor, Coun Arthur Dobson, Redcar spearheaded a drug awareness campaign at the weekend, organised by the Teesside Health Action Zone.

The local drugs education team provided interactive computer programmes in the town centre, the Redcar branch of Boots the Chemist advised on prescription drugs and basketball team the Teesside Mohawks had an anti-crime message.

Organiser Margaret Moore said: "Drug problems affect everyone in the community and the aim was to raise awareness among the community of the effects of drug-taking and how everyone can help to combat the problem.