AN awareness day took place in Redcar to spread the anti-drugs message.

Organised by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, in partnership with Cleveland Police and youth and health agencies, Saturday's Drug Awareness Day (DAD) provided street theatre, steel bands and stalls.

Stella Pate, from the Advice Resource and Counselling Service, in Skelton, demonstrated virtual reality babies, which imitate babies born to mothers suffering drug or alcohol problems.

She said: "Young people are affected by the appearance and violent reaction of these babies. It gets the message across far better than lecturing or distributing literature.

"Holding the baby for just five minutes is usually an effective deterrent to ensure they steer clear of drugs."

DAD co-ordinator Margaret Moore said: "Drugs affect every sector of the community and we all have a part to play in combating the problems they can cause.

"DAD focuses on young people and the issues we address cut across all sections of the community.

"We hope everyone who visited the event not only had a great day, but went away with a better understanding of the drug and alcohol related issues which affect us all."