STUDENTS will be spending time behind bars to discourage them from a life of crime.

STUDENTS will be spending time behind bars to discourage them from a life of crime.

Youngsters from St Katherine's School in Pill will take part in the event in their school and will experience an arrest, a court appearance and being banged up behind bars.

The project is a day-long activity organised by police, the prison service, and other agencies.

Police community support officer Laura Wheeler said: "The whole idea is to try and educate the students by giving them the opportunity to experience prison life first hand.

"By doing this we hope it will discourage them from pursuing a life of crime and for them to appreciate what punishments they could face if they do take that path."

The event, which will be held on April 2, follows successful days held in Backwell and Flax Bourton schools in November.