IF any of Marion Parayre's pupils decide to misbehave, they could find themselves in the firing line!

The French teacher has an advantage over most of her colleagues when she is trying to get the children to listen - she can breathe fire.

Marion, who teaches at Moorland School, Clitheroe, has recently acquired the daredevil skill of fire-eating, and relishes any opportunity to perform the show-stopping feat.

Her latest appearance lit up a garden party the school last weekend.

Marion, who has been at the school for two years, wowed the crowd with her act, which she admits she is still learning.

She was introduced to the art of fire-eating at a social club she attends in Manchester.

She said: "I started doing it in March and Sunday was only the second time I have performed. The first time was at a talent show at the school.

"I just thought it would be challenging to learn.

"I was nervous at first, but part of the training is about building up your confidence. You need to have a lot of confidence to eat fire!"

Despite its dramatic appearance, with bursts of flames spewing from her mouth or being put out as she devours them, the 32-year-old teacher, who originally hails from Perpignan in the south of France, has managed to avoid injury.

She said: "It all happens so quick that you cannot feel the flames and the people who taught me said they have never had an accident yet.

"The pupils are really impressed. One said that she had better to do her homework in case I breathed fire on her!"

Adventurous Marion said she wants to perfect her skill before moving on to any more death-defying stunts.

And she said there is not much chance of pupils following in her fiery-footsteps, because she won't tell them how to do it.

Marion said: "The people who teach you ask not to tell anyone how to do it and keep it a secret."