PRIMARY school children are being quizzed on safety and given advice at an event designed to protect them at home and in their neighbourhoods.

More than 1,300 year six pupils from 36 schools in Sedgefield borough will attend the safety carousel that finishes next Friday.

Organisations including the police, fire and rescue services, transport police, the restorative justice team, Dogs Trust and Northern Electric are holding workshops to show children how to react in emergencies.

The event, at Newton Aycliffe Young People's Centre, has been organised by Sedgefield Borough Council's leisure services department.

This year's event is one of the most important since it started eight years ago, because feedback from the children could influence policing and community projects.

Police at the event are asking children about their fears and how they spend their time after school. The answers will be used as part of a crime and disorder audit that will influence future police and community initiatives.

Police and partners are also meeting community group representatives, area forums and older youths to find out how they view the district and get their suggestions for improvements.

Sergeant Steve Steen, of the Sedgefield Partnership, said: "The safety carousel helps us make sure kids are safe and now how to react in certain situations and makes them feel safer.

"For us, it is also a chance to hear from young people what their concerns are, such as bullying or being nervous around groups of older youths hanging about.

"We can then go to secondary schools and find out what would stop them - maybe youth shelters or different clubs and activities to keep them off the street.

"We can use what people tell us to plan how we police in the future and tell partners what can be done to help."