CHILDREN at a Southampton school where two pupils were suspended for carrying knives have been told during a special assembly about the dangers of having offensive weapons.

The youngsters at Mason Moor Primary School came face to face with police Insp Trefor Lloyd who talked about the importance of making the right choices - and not carrying knives.

His visit came after a nine-year-old boy was found with a kitchen knife in his pocket and an 11-year-old was discovered carrying a craft knife in the playground.

Both pupils were given five-day suspensions from the 267-pupil school in Helvellyn Road, Millbrook.

Insp Lloyd said: "I tried to reinforce the point to the children that as they grow up they have to make choices. They have to think about what they are doing. I also spoke of the various bits of legislation covering offensive weapons and knives and what the punishments can be.

"The children listened attentively and were a credit to the school."

Head teacher Sian Smith said that the school was now moving forward following the mistakes of two of its pupils. She said the Year 5 and Year 6 pupils who took part in the assembly could see how seriously the school was taking the issue.

"The staff and the pupils are being very positive about it. We work very hard as a school to develop responsible citizens," said Mrs Smith.

"Two people made mistakes. We are moving forward now."

The school is also backing the Daily Echo's campaign against knife crime launched following the death of 18-year-old Lewis Singleton. He was fatally wounded as he walked home through Obelisk Road, Woolston, earlier this year.

Throughout the next few weeks children will be encouraged to design their own posters about keeping safe and making the right choices which will be put on display around the school.