PUPILS at Rayleigh primary schools spent last week learning key life skills thanks to the Town Council’s Crucial Crew programme.

The town council took over the funding of the project, which educates children in Year 6 about drink and drug abuse, stranger danger, road and fire safety, from the district authority four years ago.

District and town councillor Cheryl Roe said: “It’s something we are very proud of as a council.

“Figures show children of that age do go off with strangers, but thankfully the numbers are coming down so our message is getting across.

“They’re really invaluable life skills that the students learn.”

The event was hosted by Grove Wood Primary School and Sainsbury’s supplied water.