Workshops after primary children caught with vapes

Helen Watson hopes to turn the workshops into an annual event

A primary school has organised workshops for its children after confiscating vapes from pupils as young as 10 years old.

Helen Watson, the deputy head teacher at Holmer Lake Primary school in Telford, said she wanted to educated them about the dangers.

It is one of 10 primary schools and one secondary in the borough to receive a visit from the London Bus Theatre Company, which specialises in issues such as bullying, drugs, alcohol and anti-social behaviour.

Ms Watson said: "It's better to give them the right facts and information rather than trying to cover it up and avoid the issue."

She said the sessions, for 10 to 12-year-olds, involved "lots of drama roleplay and interaction with the children".

"The children came out very excited and informed," she added.

More than 800 children have been involved in the workshops at the 11 schools, which were paid for by Telford and Wrekin Council.

Ms Watson said the children "might seem really young", but most are already aware of vapes and would be around older children who were already using them.

"The earlier we talk to children when they start being curious about things like this the better," she said.