PUPILS at Puddletown First School know exactly what do in an emergency, thanks to a day of first aid training.

Children from years three and four had a day of life-saving lessons, learning all about CPR, choking, the recovery position, bandages and personal safety. And children from the pre school also had the opportunity to sit in a real ambulance.

The initiative was driven my seven-year-old Lily Adams who attends the school.

After learning first aid at St John Ambulance Badgers Club, Lily was determined to raise funds for a defibrillator at the school - which is now hung in the hallway.

But this wasn't enough and Lily decided her classmates could benefit from first aid training.

Whitehorse Training and Encompass Training therefore volunteered to run a first aid day at the school on Monday. (March 20)

Daniel and Robert Hamilton directors of Whitehorse Training along with Simon Marfell, director of Encompass Training, and Peter Butcher an ex frontline paramedic taught the children the basics in first aid and what to do in an emergency.

Each child also received a 'Mini Medics' book and certificate.

Dan Hunwick, headteacher at Puddletown First School, said: "The children had a fantastic day and were really buzzing about it. It was a wonderful opportunity for our KS2 children to have a day of first aid training.

"Having a basic understanding of first aid is something that all children should have, out of all the lessons the children can do at school this is one of the few that could literally save a life.

"As a school we are so grateful to the Adams family for the passion in providing us not only with our defibrillator but also for training our 60 mini medics.

"Our thanks also go to Whitehorse Training and Encompass Training who led the day so brilliantly."

Lily's mum, Jenny said the day had been a huge success,

She said: "Whitehorse Training and Encompass Training were absolutely fantastic. They just organised the day brilliantly. The children were split into groups and did different activities and were taken outside to see the ambulance.

"They even took the pre school out to show them the ambulance and my youngest, Freddie, has been talking about it non stop since.

"Lily was so excited in the morning. She was just really excited to do first aid with all her friends.

"It was definitely worth doing. Their brains are like sponges at this age. Lily came home talking about the recovery position and bandaging.

"Hopefully this will be something that we can carry on doing each year at the school."