YOUNG people took part in some of the most important “lessons” of their life at Rivington and Blackrod High School.

Traditional classes were cancelled as sixth formers took part in a Student Welfare Day designed to teach them to maintain a healthy and safe lifestyle as they move through the sixth form, on to university and into their chosen career.

Police 360, a drug and alcohol awareness service, and the Parallel, a young person’s health centre in Bolton, ran workshops throughout the day.

Students were given road safety messages and told by police how to keep safe on a night out.

The devastating consequences of drink-driving were highlighted as part of the Wasted Lives campaign, established to highlight the dangers of driving the morning after drinking alcohol.

Matthew Alston tragically died, aged 18, on a Saturday morning in August, 2010, in Read near Burnley after drinking the night before at a party at home.

It highlighted to shocked students the potential dangers of driving while a driver is still over the limit.

Jane McDonough, assistant head of sixth form, said: “The health and well-being of our students is of paramount importance to us at Rivington and Blackrod Sixth Form, and with thanks to all of those who have supported us with it, it has been a real success.

“We have had a lot of positive feedback from students on how thought-provoking the day has been. The day has been given real meaning.”

A former teacher of Rivington and Blackrod High School, Graham Bruschett, talked about organ donation as he had undergone a kidney transplant himself.

Mr Bruschett, aged 59, is supporting The Bolton News campaign to get 5,000 extra people to sign up to the donor register.