CHILDREN trapped in a smoke-filled bedroom and rubbing shoulders with car thieves may be every mothers' worst nightmare.But this was reality in the heart of Suffolk as schoolchildren took part in a safety exercise - the annual Crucial Crew event.

CHILDREN trapped in a smoke-filled bedroom and rubbing shoulders with car thieves may be every mothers' worst nightmare.

But this was reality in the heart of Suffolk as schoolchildren took part in a safety exercise - the annual Crucial Crew event.

The Mid Suffolk district council Crucial Crew - part of the countywide safety

initiative aimed at 10-year old children - was launched yesterday at the Museum of East Anglian Life.

The initiative comprises of nine theatre-style sets, which recreate situations of crime and danger. As the children proceed around the different scenarios, they will experience and actively participate in a range of realistic and potentially life-threatening situations.

It is hoped that the exercise will not only raise awareness and educate the

children about potential hazards and emergencies but will actually provide them with essential skills so they can deal with a real situation should it ever arise.

This year there's also a farm safety scenario run by the Health and Safety Executive and Stowmarket Rotary club.

"It's a fantastic example of different agencies working together to keep Suffolk's children safe and aware," said Mid Suffolk District Council's Paula Batchelor, who has helped to organise the joint event.

More than 1,000 local children, 200 more than last year, representing 21 Mid Suffolk schools will take part in the event.

There will be two sessions every weekday until Thursday, July 3. The morning session is 9.45am to 11.45am and the afternoon session runs from 12.45pm to 2.45pm.

Other organisations involved include: 24seven, Casualties Union, Central

Suffolk Primary Care Trust, Health and Safety Executive, St John's

Ambulance, Stowmarket Inner Wheel, Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk County

Council's Road Safety Department and Suffolk Fire Service.