Children learn about industry - in the pub

Brewer Wadworth has been introducing youngsters to a local licensee as part of a course in alcohol awareness.

The company has teamed up with Wiltshire Council and the police to help educate young people about responsible drinking and the drinks industry as part of the BII's alcohol awareness course.

The first group to undertake the scheme are students from the Young People's Support Service and similar courses are being planned for other Wiltshire schools.

And as part of the course they met licensee Adrian Softley at his pub the Bridge Inn in Horton, Devizes.

Wadworth training manager Marie Wood said: "The breadth of the course means that the young people are not just learning about alcohol, as we are also covering commerce, licensing laws and offences, tax and employment.

"As the second biggest employer in Devizes and with one in every five new jobs nationally being in the hospitality industry, the course also gives the students an insight into an industry in which some of them may well end up being employed."

Course tutor Darren Oram added: "Previously we have only concentrated on the evils of alcohol, which is not a very positive message.

"The health issues of alcohol are of course vital, and we are strongly endorsing the message of responsible drinking, but we felt that exploring the bigger picture would be beneficial. By incorporating information about how the industry works, taking the students for a tour round the Wadworth brewery and introducing them to a pub landlord, we have been able to broaden their knowledge and give them a wider understanding of the issues involved."