A CAMPAIGN to help primary school children say 'no' to Drugs and alcohol has received a cash boost to help it reach more youngsters.

READI (Rotary Education About Drugs Initiative) has received £45,000 for the next three years to educate children across Craven about the dangers of drugs abuse.

Last year a successful pilot scheme was set up and funded by the Rotary Club of Skipton Craven in six Skipton primary schools.

The programme included a visit from a theatre company which led workshops on drug abuse, putting together a magazine on drugs issues and questionnaires.

Now thanks to this latest cash boost from North Yorkshire County Council, schools across Craven can benefit from the education.

Cononley and Carleton have already signed up to the scheme and many others are being given the chance to take part.

The Rotary Club of Settle is also looking at implementing a similar scheme in its local schools.

Skipton Rotarian Bob Cleminson said: "Skipton is sometimes known as the gateway to the Dales or perhaps on the darker side, the doorway to drugs.

"In the year 2000, 45 crimes which were shown to be drugs related were committed in Craven and heroin with a street value of £30,000 was recovered."

o Stephanie Milner, a pupil at Water Street School, Skipton, has donated £25 to the READI campaign.

The eight-year-old won £100 in a design a Christmas card competition at the town's Bizzie Lizzies fish and chip shop.

She decided to buy some glitter pens and donate £25 to the READI campaign. She also won a free meal for herself and her parents.