PUPILS from a Colley Gate primary school are swatting up for the final of a national first aid competition organised by St John's Ambulance.

The five 10 to 11 year-olds from Colley Lane Primary School beat 35 rivals from seven primary schools in the competition at the charity’s regional headquarters.

The budding nurses were given scenarios using real people who feigned anything from major bleeding to asthma attacks and unconsciousness.

The final will be at Drayton Manor theme park, Tamworth on Wednesday, June 25 where the Colley Lane team will be hoping to go one better than last year when they were runners up.

Elaine Bradford, Year 5 teacher and first aid trainer for 18 years at school, said: ‘To be judged the best of all the primary schools in the region for the sixth time is a huge achievement and I’m so proud of them. As this is an extracurricular activity, they have had to work really hard at after-school clubs. Learning first aid is a great opportunity our children to develop lifesaving skills as well as giving them confidence. It’s great to start them young as they are so eager to learn."

Year 6 pupil, Emilia Dyer, aged 11, said all her teammates really liked participating in the competition.

She said: "We had a fun day and it’s been really enjoyable to test my skills. First aid training is educational and I get to learn important life skills."