YOUNGSTERS from Gwent have helped their school win a share of £1,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office as part of a substance abuse awareness poster competition.

More than 100 posters were submitted by youngsters from schools across Caerphilly county to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse, and were judged by a panel on last Thursday morning at the council’s headquarters at Ty Penallta.

The competition was organised by the Caerphilly Junior Forum, an organisation for children aged eight to 11 to become actively involved in local decision making.

Last month the Police and Crime commissioner for Gwent Ian Johnston met the junior forum members, last month who requested the contest competition.

The First prize of (£500) went to Ellicia-Mai Jones, of Trinant Primary School thanks to the winning poster made by Ellicia-Mai Jones, the second prize of (£300) went to Demi Rees, of Trinant Primary, and the third prize of (£200) went to Alex-Jaye Done, of Derwen Deg Primary School thanks to Alex-Jaye Done’s submission.

The winning posters will be displayed on the Gwent PCC website and social media, and the council’s community safety department have agreed to display the winning posters on Blackwood High Street.

Mr Johnston said: “I want to congratulate all the winners and all those who worked so hard on submitting posters to raise awareness about such important community issues.

“We were delighted by the quality and the volume of submissions. We want fewer victims of crime and to protect people from serious harm and competitions such as this one play an important role in raising awareness about the dangers of substance abuse amongst school children and young people.”

The Commissioner will present the pupils and the winning schools with their prizes when the new term starts in September.