A NO-SMOKING message is being presented to schoolchildren in the form of a play.

Four schools in Middlesbrough have been chosen for the pilot project by the Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The play, which looks at the reasons why youngsters smoke, the myths and the pressures, is being performed by the Pyramid Theatre Company, from South Wales.

Jackie Hurst, pastoral head at The King's Academy, Coulby Newham, one of the schools chosen for the pilot, said: "Children aged 11 and 12 are vulnerable to peer pressure and the theatre group did an excellent job in bringing to life the issues around smoking on a level that our year sevens understood.

"We were happy to be a pilot school and will continue working with the PCT to get the messages across."

Stop-smoking advisor Lesley Colley said: "We know that nationally, one per cent of all children in year seven smoke, so this initiative is aimed at dissuading any more from smoking. It's about prevention and promoting the health message early.

"Theatre is interesting and by explaining the issues through drama, the children learn so much without realising it. If it proves successful, we will roll it out across schools in Middlesbrough and Eston."

The other schools in the pilot are Nunthorpe, Acklam Grange and King's Manor.