HIGH school pupils exchanged leisurely lunches for being locked up with a quick snack and half an hour's exercise this week.

The swap was part of a project to teach pupils at Hesketh Fletcher High School about prison life.

The day, which involved 200 year-nine pupils being locked in the Atherton school, was the practical learning side of their citizenship lessons.

While other pupils wound down on trips to Alton Towers, these children attended various workshops aimed at dispelling myths of prison.

Having experienced a taste of prison life, the hope is that pupils will have been dissuaded from committing crimes in the future.

Headteacher Ted Walker described the day as serious fun. He said: "The aim of the day was to challenge pupils' perceptions, raise self-esteem and promote positive life skills."

Organiser and the school's citizenship co-ordinator, Rachael Hawkrigg, was assisted by the expertise of Hindley Prison officer George Hindley.

Ms Hawkrigg said: "We hope it was an interesting experience for the pupils and one which they decide not to repeat!"

The project was the first of its kind in the borough and generated national interest, which resulted in it being filmed for a documentary.