The Somerset County Gazette’s Stop It Before It Starts campaign has received backing from more than 50 primary schools in the county.

The £120,000 project is being run by charity Life Education Centres in conjunction with the County Gazette and has already raised £108,000.

Teachers are so keen to get involved in the health and drug education project that they have been flocking to support the scheme, even though it will not take to the road until January.

It will see a specially equipped mobile classroom visit primary schools to provide specialist teaching to youngsters.

So far 57 primary schools in Taunton Deane, West Somerset and Sedgemoor have booked up for the education programme, and the first two terms of 2004 are now fully booked.

Organisers say 11,700 primary school children will take part in the specialist health, drug and alcohol education programme.

Somerset Life Education chairman David Baker said: “Fifty per cent of schools in the catchment area have booked the service.

“There are 162 school days in the year and we are booked for 132 of those – it’s a marvellous start.”

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]