A YOUNG couple are to visit the schools of Richmond to promote religious education.

Gale Brazier and her fiance, Ben Dowding, both 19, are members of Pais, a Christian organisation, which works in schools.

Ben, originally from Richmond, and Gale, are to work with children in primary and secondary schools.

Their main aims are to give practical help to the community by offering a free service to schools, and to help in educating pupils in mainstream Christian beliefs. Pais says it does not promote any one church or denomination.

Gale, who attended college in Darlington, said: "We address a wide range of social, moral, spiritual and Biblical issues.

"We look at image and peer pressure, the Bible, sex and relationships, worship, bullying and human rights, as well as many other issues.

"We use a wide range of mediums to look at these, for example drama, dance, tricks, puppets and mimes, and we do these things through lessons, assemblies and lunch clubs."

Ben and Gail, who met while studying performing arts at Darlington College, have been with Pais for a year, and have been working for local churches involved in youth and child work.

Gale said: "It is voluntary work that we do and I've really enjoyed working with Pais for the past year. It has really helped me to grow, and it's great fun as well."

All people in the team that will be working in Richmond are trained youth and school workers and have been fully checked by police.

They are all committed Christians and also work for their local churches doing youth and children's work.

The team will begin working in Richmond in the near future and is available for bookings next term.

This service is free, to be used by schools in whatever way they can. Schools are asked to book the service in advance to ensure a date.

For more information, call Ben Dowding on (07974) 306560