PUPILS bid for cash for anti-terrorism projects in a Dragons’ Den-style workshop.

Students from Blackburn Central High School and Darwen Aldridge Community Academy gave presentations to judges including Lancashire Police chief supt Bob Eastwood, deputy police and crime commissioner Ibrahim Master and representatives from Blackburn-based company Euro Garages.

They had to convince the ‘dragons’ why their projects deserved financial backing from Prevent Strategy.

Majid Ditta, deputy headteacher at Blackburn Central High School, said the six year 10 pupils from the Haslingden Road school’s team had worked hard in their own time to create a convincing presentation.

He said: “The students had to prepare something totally independent of the teaching staff in their own time.

“It was a really superb moment.

“The students were really nervous, but we so very proud that they were able to speak with such great confidence.

“Their team work and preparation shone through.”

The event was held at the council chambers in Blackburn and the students were competing for their share of £3,000.

Blackburn Central High was finally awarded £1,600, with DACA taking £1,400 to carry out its plans.

Mr Ditta said the students planned to use the money to put on a stage production promoting the ideas of tolerance, understanding and integration as well as to do workshops with other schools.

He said: “From a school’s perspective, we all benefit from this kind of thing because we have a more cultural school.

“Pupils being able to talk about challenging things in a safe and secure environment is a very powerful thing.”