STUDENTS have been getting a taste of how one-sided life can be in an unfair world.

The youngsters had to endure a tug o' war with greasy ropes while being squirted with high-pressure water guns in an exercise designed to raise awareness about fair trade.

Staff at Northallerton College organised sack races, a football match and the tug o' war and students were placed in teams representing the West and Ghana - with a host of disadvantages being heaped on the African side.

In the sack race, for instance, the West team had holes in the bottom to aid their progress; in the football match, the Ghanaians wore glasses that made them feel dizzy; the Africans' side of the tug o' war rope was greased and they were squirted during the trial.

Teacher Belinda Roy said: "Next term, we will be looking at fair trade and sustainable development, including chocolate production, child labour and poverty. This practical exercise helps the various messages stick in the children's minds."

Students also took part in a drama session in the hall involving the Waterfall Theatre to look at the danger of drug use.

"It's fun, but also looks at powerful concepts," said Ms Roy.