A SCHOOL head has joined police in calling on Ludlow parents to tell children of the dangers of experimenting with "lethal cocktails" of drugs and alcohol.

The move by acting head of Ludlow C of E School, Sue Byatt, follows shock news that schoolchildren in town have joined a national craze dubbed as dicing with death.

A statement from the police in Shrewsbury urged parents to "warn their children of the danger of alcohol and substance misuse following information that a group of schoolchildren in Ludlow have been drinking alcohol along with taking prescription drugs."

The drugs were said to be in tablet form and prescribed for asthma.

Ludlow School had been informed, with the warning that the experimentation could be fatal.

Mrs Byatt said: "We have had no incidents of this kind in school-time. However, we regard it as a serious matter and will be dealing with it through our educational programme.

"We will be working with parents in ensuring that children are informed that these practices can seriously endanger their health."

DS Jason Wells, of Shrewsbury police, explained: "We're anxious for parents to make their children aware that taking this mixture of drugs is highly dangerous.

"Taking prescription drugs which have not been prescribed for you puts you at risk as it is, but taking alcohol on top is nothing short of a lethal cocktail."

He added social services and Ludlow School would be closely involved in efforts to ensure no harm came to those involved.