Primary school children were given a taste of how playing truant could affect their lives by a group of drama students.

Preston College students in their second year of a BTEC national diploma in Performing Arts and Technical Theatre visited children at primary schools in Preston and Penwortham to drive home the consequences of playing truant.

The visits, organised in partnership with Lancashire County Council's Pupil Attendance Support Team as part of the Everyday Matter and Miss It Miss Out campaign, are aimed at stamping out poor attendance in primary schools.

The youngsters met different characters such as Punctual Paul and Naughty Natalie in two plays written by the students.

Afterwards the students talked to the pupils about the issues raised.

The plays showed the future of the two different characters and one followed 'Naughty Natalie' as she missed out on a school trip after turning up late.

Student Hayley Slinger, 18, of Whittingham Lane, Broughton, said: "Youngsters need to realise what they do now can affect the serious things in later life like getting into the university if they want to.

"We've tried to show how it can also affect the fun things because if Naughty Natalie had been on time she would have been able to go with all her friends."

But the former Broughton High School pupil, who is hoping to study for a degree in drama at Manchester Metropolitan University, said it was important to make education fun.