The first children have taken part in an ambitious education programme thanks to the Somerset County Gazette’s Stop It Before It Starts campaign.

The project, which has been championed by the County Gazette in the largest campaign in the newspaper’s 168-year history, got under way to teach primary school youngsters about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

The £120,000 scheme is run in conjunction with charity Somerset Life Education Centres and has put a mobile classroom on the road to visit schools across Taunton Deane, West Somerset and Sedgemoor.

Educator Kate Richards underwent specialist training to work with youngsters.

She said: “It’s great that we’re finally here and getting the project up and running.

“So much hard work has gone into it and I’m delighted that I can now start putting what I’ve learned into practice.”

County Gazette news editor Tamsin Curtis, has co-ordinated and overseeing the scheme fundraising, and added: “It’s fantastic to see the project get off the ground and I’m delighted that the County Gazette has played such a major role in turning it from a dream into reality.”

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