CHILDREN from across Welwyn Hatfield took part in an environmental emergency flood trial last week.

Sixty primary school pupils took part in an environmental emergency day at Onslow St Audrey’s School in Hatfield.

The activity day last Wednesday was organised by the British Red Cross, the Environment Agency and Hertfordshire County Council.

It taught the children what to do if the River Lea flooded.

Catherine Ball, humanitarian education development co-ordinator at the British Red Cross, said similar events had never been carried out on such a large scale before.

“The idea is that we are going to roll this out nationally in schools across the country,” she said.

“It has been a definite success without a doubt.”

Students created model bridges, news reports, were taught how to make a 999 call and rescue someone from a river using just the clothes they were wearing, and basic first aid.

Helen Musselwhite, Onslow St Audrey’s Red Cross co-ordinator, said: “The children seem to be totally engrossed and have had some very creative ideas.”

The Times Territory schools that took part in the activity day were Oak View Primary, St Philip Howard Catholic Primary School, St John’s School Lemsford, Ponsbourne St Mary’s C of E Primary School, Welwyn St Mary’s School, Brookmans Park Primary School and Applecroft.