TEENAGERS at Padgate High have been spreading the word about bad behaviour with a hard-hitting play highlighting bullying.

Members of the Youth Action group at the school devised and performed the play about teenage tyrants after concerns over bullying at a youth club.

Youth Action co-ordinator Gail Hawley said: "The request came from volunteer workers at Dallam Community House who were concerned they had seen incidents of bullying at a youth club.

"The group felt the best way to convey the message was to perform a play. It kept the children's attention and they enjoyed it."

Padgate pupils led a discussion about bullying after the performance and were pleased that the message appeared to have hit home.

"The majority of children promised they would never bully anyone and would make friends with new people at the club. It can be a hard message to convey but I think they achieved it," said Gail.

The Padgate students are part of a Warrington-wide collection of Youth Action groups formed to tackle issues affecting young people in their communities.

The Padgate group members are among the most active in the town. They have built a relaxation area for Year 10 pupils at the school and are currently looking at safety issues in their area and trying to find new facilities for young people to stop them hanging about on street corners.

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