Youngsters from across the Island learnt an anti-drug message through fun activities at a school rally yesterday.

The event, organised by PRIDE (Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education), featured bouncy castles, food, face painting and games.

Although rain forced the ninth annual rally to move from Victoria Park, Hamilton, into the shelter of the Adventist Youth Centre, King Street, this failed to dampen spirits.

Organiser Kenlyn Butterfield said PRIDE provided an anti-drug programme within primary schools, promoting drug prevention and children spreading a positive message.

Tahirah Smith, 10, who is head girl at Gilbert Institute, said: ?PRIDE is good. It helps kids to be safe and drug free, and it helps others to be safe. They make things fun, and that?s how we learn.?

The rally was part of a series of events marking Red Ribbon Week, which allows people to show their support for drug prevention. Hundreds are expected to turn out for a candlelight walk through the city of Hamilton tonight, leaving from the Cabinet Office at 6.30 p.m.