A thousand schoolchildren will be learning vital safety lessons first hand when Crucial Crew returns to south Norfolk. It will be the seventh year the interactive event has been held in the area.

A thousand schoolchildren will be learning vital safety lessons first hand when Crucial Crew returns to south Norfolk.

It will be the seventh year the interactive event has been held in the area.

Co-ordinated by Norfolk County Council's Fire and Rescue Service, the week-long event - which uses ten-minute interactive sessions to teach crucial safety tips - takes place at Easton College from Monday.

It features theatre-style, interactive scenarios recreating hazardous situations to which children may be exposed in their everyday life.

Pupils are placed in situations which simulate potential danger, such as a bedroom fire. The experiences seek, within a controlled environment, to raise awareness and provide practical and memorable advice on what to do.

Agencies attending include the Forestry Commission, Youth Offending Team, Matthew Project, Coastguard, St John Ambulance, Trading Standards and Norfolk Police.

Richard Rockcliffe, county council cabinet member for fire and community protection, said: “Crucial Crew goes from strength to strength. I have been along to several events and am always impressed by just how effective the hands-on, interactive approach is at engaging youngsters.”

Mr Rockcliffe added that a big thank you must go to Easton College for their continued support and help with the venue.

The event is being sponsored by South Norfolk Council and council chairman Margaret Dewsbury said: “I have no doubt that Crucial Crew has saved young lives during the many years it has been running. That's why we support it and why I will be attending.”

Andy Lyle, area manager (central) at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This will be the 20th Crucial Crew event Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has co-ordinated alongside its partners, which is a fantastic achievement. Every year several thousand children learn vital safety lessons, helping to make Norfolk even safer.”

Mr Lyle said Crucial Crew was part of the fire and rescue service's continued drive to make Norfolk even safer. The service offers free home fire risk checks to ensure people stay safe in their homes, he added.

Anyone wanting further details should visit www.edp24.co.uk/dailylinks or call free on 0800 9178137.

Munchtime of Yarmouth is providing support with the refreshments to Crucial Crew.