MORE than 6,000 of the region's primary and secondary school students have been trained up as an army of lifesavers by St John Ambulance.

The charity were given a government grant, which enabled it to offer free training to 100 schools in the North-East.

The "Character Education" funding meant pupils learned vital skills, such as how to put someone in the recovery position, or give chest compressions.

And as part of the programme, many schools have gone on to appoint teachers and students as "first aid champions" and set up after-school first-aid clubs, which are eligible for training equipment and further support from St John Ambulance.

Paul Cairns, the charity's schools and community projects co-ordinator for the region, said: "It has been a great success, we've had superb feedback.

"We have done the training, identified and equipped the champions and are ready to create on-going learning via clubs and assemblies, creating a legacy of first aid in schools."

The government grant is also being used by St John Ambulance for free termly first-aid training videos, and a web-based live event, which this year will be hosted by children's TV medic Dr Ranj on Friday, June 17.

The Big First Aid Lesson Live, for primary and secondary schools, will cover a whole range of topics, including choking, chest pains, seizures and insect bites. There will also be live demos, real life stories, chances for student to ask questions and other interactive elements.

Schools interested in taking part are asked to visit www.sja.co.uk/bigfirstaidlesson, email north-east-training@sja.org.uk or telephone 0191 273 7938 and choose option 4.