A CHARITY balloon race was held at Newsome, in aid of Comic Relief.

Newsome High School pupils and the Young People's Empowerment Project at Victim Support got together to release red balloons in aid of the national charity.

The Young People's Empowerment project, managed by Victim Support and funded by Children's Fund Kirklees, runs a drop-in service at the school for pupils' as well as informal education programmes around crime, personal safety and bullying.

The service aims to spread the message that it is okay to talk about crime, bullying and personal safety, raise awareness about available support and give children and young people the opportunity to share any concerns.

Each pupil paid 30p for a balloon, which will go to Comic Relief, and the owner of the balloon which travels the furthest will receive a prize.

Project spokesman Paula Noble said: "In schools we are giving young people the opportunity to talk about any fears and anxieties that they may have.

"We give young people space and listen to them in the hope that it will build their confidence in and around school."