PUPILS watched a play that hammered home the dangers of underage drinking.

Eight schools in Oxfordshire helped to expose the risks of alcohol misuse via a visit from theatre education group Smashed.

Actors told a story about a group of young friends who get into trouble after drinking too much, followed by an interactive workshop in which pupils were encouraged to ask questions.

The play was performed at secondary schools in Oxford, Abingdon, Witney, Wallingford and Bicester last week.

Chris Simes of Collingwood Learning, which leads Smashed, said: “Our goal is to break the culture of underage drinking and help young people develop responsible attitudes towards alcohol.”

Banbury MP Victoria Prentis backed the international project.

She said: “Raising awareness of the dangers of underage drinking is really important, particularly given the pressures young people face in everyday life.”