SCHOOLS in Thurock have recently been visited by an award-winning alcohol awareness theatre production.

Over the course of two weeks, Smashed is visiting 17 schools in Essex, and visited William Edwards School and Ortu Hassenbrook Academy last week.Students saw a hard-hitting lesson on the dangers of underage drinking in an effort to drive down alcohol consumption and harm amongst young people.

'Smashed' is an international theatre production developed and presented by Collingwood Learning and supported by Diageo. It combines drama with interactive workshops to help young people understand the facts, causes, and consequences of alcohol misuse and the risks of underage drinking.

Chris Simes, managing director at Collingwood Learning, said: "It's brilliant to be returning to Essex to inspire young people with the Smashed Live programme. These engaging and lively shows have a proven lasting impact and make a real change from the typical classroom session."

For more information, visit: https://www.smashedproject.org/

Diageo is the company that owns brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.