TEENAGERS were able to see how life behind bars is no picnic when their school was transformed into a prison for a day.

Prison officers moved into King James I Community College, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, with a mobile cell and guard dogs, to show children from year nine the reality of being in custody.

The idea is part of a scheme by a charity from Deerbolt Young Offenders Institution at Startforth, near Barnard Castle, called Prison! Me! No Way!

Principal prison officer, Tony Galley, said: "This has taken a long time to get going, the first meeting with the school was in November. All the prison staff have given their time voluntarily and it is about being able to get into the schools and talk to the children. It has been a massive success.''

Paul Wilkinson, national coordinator for the project, said: "We don't use shock tactics or threats. Everybody here cares quite passionately about the wellbeing of young people.

"It is all about showing them how the system works and the fact that there are choices in life.''

The guards were joined by Durham magistrates, representatives from the police, fire and ambulance service, victim support, Group 4 and Deerbolt staff.

Deputy headteacher at the college, Ken Hall, said: "The day is about much more than deterring young people from crime. The vast majority of our pupils will become law abiding, responsible citizens.

"I think they are amazed by what they have seen.''