PRIMARY school pupils in Blackburn have been getting lessons in how to manage debt.

Two charities have formed a partnership to teach money management know-how to the youngsters from four schools across the area.

And pupils from Intack Primary School in Whitebirk Road have helped create a podcast covering subjects like gambling, entrepreneurship and debt.

National charity Debt Advice Foundation secured £2,000 from the lottery-funded Shadsworth with Whitebirk Big Local to bring its DebtAware money management programme to Intack, Shadsworth Junior School, St Antony’s RC Primary and St Oswald’s CE Primary.

DebtAware is a series of lessons which teach children how to avoid unmanageable debt and establish money skills for life before bad financial habits are formed.

The lesson plans and supporting materials were all created by secondary school-aged pupils and are taught to primary school children by trained fellow classmates known as Money Mentors.

The funding means 320 Blackburn children aged nine to 11 will receive the lessons in managing money with 36 children trained as Money Mentors.

Intack headteacher Rachel Cairney said year sixes took part in the podcast and worked with actors on real-life scenarios.

“They were confident in taking part and really enjoyed the experience,” she said.

“Debt management is part of our life skills curriculum which is very important to the children.”

Brian Souter, education manager at DebtAware, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Shadsworth and Whitebirk Big Local and to really extend the work we do in the Blackburn area."

A further £4,000 has been approved means it will continue for another year.