AN anti-drugs message will be passed on to almost 3,000 schoolchildren at Sunderland's Empire Theatre this week.

Youngsters, aged ten and 11, from 100 primary schools across Wearside, will attend concerts, on Thursday and Friday, jointly organised by Crimestoppers and Northumbria Police.

Pop singer David Graham tops the bill, performing cover versions of chart hits, while passing on SNAP - Say No and Phone - advice to his young audience, should they be offered drugs.

Crimestoppers offers an anonymous free phone line, and David will talk personally about how his life has been touched by drugs, as a non-taker who prefers to "get his kicks" from performing.

Youth issues officers, PCs Linda Nicholson, Ian Brunskill and Neill Wrightson, who are involved in the Youth Impact Project across the three police command areas on Wearside, all support the message of the concerts.

"We work closely with schools across Sunderland and we get very good feedback from the youngsters who attend these concerts," said PC Nicholson.

"This is a very positive way to get an important message across."

Concert-goers can perform in prize-winning competitions during the shows, with the opportunity to demonstrate their singing, dancing and football skills, while they are also asked to devise a winning anti-drugs slogan.

Crimestoppers administrator Joyce Gawthorpe said: "Resisting drugs and crime is not always easy, but we can equip children with the necessary information to make informed choices."