PRIMARY schools in Dorset are being urged to add first aid to their lesson plans in a safety event ahead of Bonfire Night celebrations.

The St John Ambulance charity wants to get schools involved in the Big First Aid Lesson 2017.

The hour-long programme will be streamed live into classrooms across the country free of charge and will cover a range of first aid topics, with particular emphasis on burns and firework-related injuries.

Taking place on Friday, November 3, it will also include live demonstrations, real life stories, chances for students to ask questions, and other interactive elements.

The charity is urging teachers to sign up online at www.sja.org.uk/bigfirstaidlesson to help meet its aim of teaching a quarter of a million students vital life saving skills.

It will be presented by young actor Reece Buttery, who is following in the footsteps of ITV This Morning’s Dr Ranj who presented the lesson to thousands of students and teachers in 2016 and will make a guest appearance this year.

Reece said: "As a St John Ambulance cadet, I’ve seen first-hand how important first aid can be in an emergency.

"We know schools are time-pressed but the Big First Aid Lesson Live is free, easy to join, and could help to save a life. We hope teachers everywhere sign their classes up and get involved."

The only equipment schools need to take part is an internet connection and a screen for their pupils to watch in the classroom or during assembly.

This year’s Big First Aid Lesson is aimed at primary school students and is timed perfectly to make sure the children have an awareness of the dangers of Bonfire Night, and what to do in the event of an accident.

St John Ambulance’s national training delivery manager schools, David Nicklen said: "The Big First Aid Lesson Live is an accessible, easy to learn, and fun resource – students will finish the lesson feeling confident they could one day be a life saver.

"I encourage all schools to take part so their pupils don’t miss out on this exciting and educational event."

To sign up your school to the Big First Aid Lesson Live, or for more information visit www.sja.org.uk/bigfirstaidlesson