THE country's most famous teacher Ken Barlow this week helped launch a new school security video.

Actor Bill Roache joined Lancashire Police's Chief Constable Pauline Clare, the county's chief education officer Chris Trinnick and Wolverhampton nursery teacher Lisa Potts at the Granada Studios set to launch the Schoolook video.

The video, which was made by Preston firm Avenham Media and Lancashire Constabulary, aims to give headteachers and school governors vital lessons in security and safety in the wake of tragedies at Dunblane and Wolverhampton - when Lisa protected her young pupils from a machete-wielding intruder.

The 30-minute film spotlights practical steps to ensure more safety in schools and it has the full support of Mrs Clare.

She said: "Safety in schools is something which society may have taken for granted but security is now a subject which quite rightly should be examined.

"This is necessary to ensure that everything possible is being done by education authorities, schools and police for the well-being of pupils and teachers alike.

"No one wants to see our schools become fortresses but we are all aware that pupils and staff security is paramount."

The video was sponsored by national and local advertisers so that it could be freely distributed throughout Lancashire.

Sergeant Steve Saddlington, of Lancashire's Partnerships and Community Safety department, said: "School budgets are under increasing pressure and money saved through better security measures can be channelled back into improving facilities for pupils and staff."

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