MORE than 1,000 students have tapped into information to help them enjoy student life to the full.

The Downloading Darlington event was staged at Darlington College of Technology for new students during the first week of term. Representatives from a host of agencies were in the main hall of the Cleveland Avenue campus to offer help and advice.

They included Darlington Primary Care Trust nurses, sexual health outreach workers, the Territorial Army, Connexions, Darlington leisure and library services, First Stop and Night Stop, banks and driving schools.

Head of student activities Diane Evans said: "It is a really good event offering students everything they need to know as a teenager.

"One of the main issues is health and we concentrate on things that matter to young people, whether that is stopping smoking, sexual health or chlamydia screening."

In the afternoon, students were shown a range of extra-curricular activities.

These included rock climbing, DJing, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, sports and the Millennium Volunteer programme.

"In education, it is important to consider the whole person," said Mrs Evans. "College is designed to be a place where you can have a bit of fun while you are learning."