Children are learning about the danger of second-hand cigarette smoke

Primary one pupils at Ardgowan took part in an educational project run by NHS smokefree service.

It aims to increase awareness of the effects of second-hand smoke on children and what parents can do to ensure their kids are not exposed to its harmful effects.

Jane Morris, who is the P1a teacher, says it is vitally important to raise awareness of the health hazard.

She said: "The children read a book called 'Jenny and the Bear' which is about a wee girl who takes a teddy bear home.

"The bear becomes unwell due to second hand smoke from the parents smoking and has to be taken to the doctor and they work out what the problem is."

As part of the initiative, the children were asked to come up with a name for the teddy bear which was entered into a competition.

Miss Morris added: "The children called the bear 'Mr Cuddle Snuggles' and they won the competition.

"The NHS came out to visit them and presented the children with certificates.

"They also each received their own teddy bears and we were also given a big teddy bear which is now proudly in our classroom.

"It got the children discussing their feelings about people smoking and got a dialogue going."