ANYONE strolling past Mereside County Primary School in Blackpool recently may have been amazed to see what looks like a huge articulated lorry parked outside.

But appearances can be deceptive and what this wagon can achieve is far more than just a colourful spectacle - it's actually a drug awareness mobile teaching unit.

Organised by Life Education Centres (LEC) the moving classroom is one of 200 across the world and aims to tackle the issue of drug prevention while children are young and before adolescence when for many it could be too late.

Susan McKillop, LEC co-ordinator at Mereside, said that the hi-tech vehicle provides a unique learning experience for up to 30 youngsters. They are equipped with audio-visual materials, interactive models and even a singing giraffe puppet by the name of Harold.

She went on to explain that they are utilising the lorry in conjunction with Lancashire Education Committee in an effort to teach children about the many dangers of drug use.

She said: "The LEC mobile classroom is different to the usual classroom methods of teaching about drugs.

"The methods they use are interactive and non-judgemental so children are not simply 'taught', but are encouraged to take part in the learning process, discussing their ideas openly.

"The idea of equipping young people to take responsibility for their own lives and to make their own decisions is the key to the whole approach."

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