Bridport students have enjoyed a visit from a specially trained community safety dog.

The Sir John Colfox Academy, along with Beaminster School and Woodroffe School, welcomed the visit from K9 Deployment as part of a nationwide educational programme designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drug misuse.

Students watched the pair from K9 Deployment complete exercises and take part in special awareness-raising assemblies. K9 Deployment specialise in the deployment of drugs search dogs and work closely with schools to explain the types of dogs that can be used to deter users to detect drugs.

The educational visits are part of a much wider initiative and link to Colfox's personal, health and social education (PHSE) and life studies curriculum.

In a joint statement, headteachers from the three schools - Adam Shelley from Colfox, Keith Hales from Beaminster and Dan Watts from Woodroffe - said: "Students really enjoyed meeting the community safety dog, but behind the fun there was also a very serious purpose to the visit, namely to educate students about the dangers of drug misuse, and to again make it very clear that drugs will not be tolerated in our schools. It is essential to provide education about the dangers, as well as sharing positive safeguarding messages to help ensure our young people stay safe."

The wider educational programme also raises awareness in a sensitive way about the issue of County Lines drug trafficking. County Lines is a nationwide issue in which organised criminal gangs from cities target teenagers in more rural areas and entice them to take part in illegal activity. It can be incredibly hard for young people who get caught up to escape.

All three schools are committed to educating young people, raising awareness about the dangers and sharing positive safeguarding advice. Anyone who has any concerns about any of the issues raised, can find help and advice here.