EAST Lancashire pupils have been propelled into action to help police keep their schools vandal-free zones.

Since 2000, Lancashire Police's air support unit has supported police patrols throughout the county by using the force helicopter to provide additional checks on school premises during the summer holidays.

Operation Caretaker is again taking to the skies and keeping a watchful eye on schools across the county during the summer holidays.

The operation is intended to cut the number of crimes committed on school premises such as vandalism, criminal damage, burglary and arson and tackle anti-social behaviour triggered by gangs of youths gathering in school grounds.

When the helicopter is already airborne because of an operational incident or photographic work, the crew will take the opportunity to fly over the schools in the area on its route back to base.

And their bid to thwart would-be vandals in their tracks has been bolstered by schoolchildren keen to play their part in keeping their schools free from the criminal mischief makers.

In Blackburn and Darwen nearly 200 pupils from eight primary schools entered a poster competition with the theme - "Hands off our school!"

The competition was aimed at raising awareness amongst children who often congregate around school buildings during the holidays, and particularly aimed at deterring the small minority who cause damage to the premises.

PC Vanessa Rushton, youth involvement officer for Blackburn with Darwen, said: "Children feel very strongly that their schools should be kept safe and free from damage during the holidays when they are not there. The posters are fantastic and we have been overwhelmed with the designs - it was very difficult to choose the winners.

"Criminal damage does usually increase over the school holidays and we hope that this competition has helped to raise awareness amongst the children, but will also give them a sense of responsibility when it comes to looking after their schools."

The poster competition captured the imagination to such an extent that Lancashire Police are now considering introducing it to pupils across Lancashire.

The winning entries will be displayed in schools across the towns.

To assist the air patrols police have distributed posters at schools to warn vandals they will be under surveillance.