A BOOKLET about extremism has been produced by students in Pendle.

Year 10 pupils at Marsden Heights Community College, Nelson, have produced An Idiots Guide to Extremism', which aims to help children understand what extremism is.

The guide was launched yesterday at an assembly at the school, and all 210 Year 10 pupils at the school were then given the booklets.

It is hoped the booklets will also be sent out to all the other high schools in Pendle.

The booklet includes definitions of extremism, causes of extremism, and the media's views of extremism.

The scheme was organised by interfaith community group, Building Bridges Pendle, which decided to work with the schools to try and break down racial barriers within the community. Some 16 pupils from Marsden Heights and Pendle Vale College, Nelson, formed a group called Pendle Voices'.

They took part in debates about extremism, produced the booklet and went on a three-day residential course.

And following the work, Marsden Heights pupils produced the booklet.

Marsden Heights head-teacher Mike Tull said: "Building Bridges approach-ed us about the project.

"We have worked with them before and thought that it would be informative, and we encourage anything that promotes social cohesion.

"The project started about two months ago and the children have been meeting up once a week to discuss the project.

"This is the first year that the project has run and we are hoping that we will run it again in future years."

Year 10 student Rosie Butler, 15, said: "I've really enjoyed taking part in the project.

"I think that it is really important that we learn about different cultures.

"It is a multi-cultural school and we all get on really well, but the issues affect us in our community and it is important that we learn about them."

Salim Jogi, interfaith development officer from Building Bridges, said: "We chose extremism because it is so topical.

"The aim of the booklet is to try and help children understand what extremism is, and to break down racial stereotypes.

"The issue of race affects these children's daily lives, and by holding debates and producing the booklet we are hoping to increase their understanding."

He added: "To produce the booklet the children had to take part in discussions with local councillors, the police race hate crime unit, and the Home Office."

Iram Akram, 15 said: "The booklet looks at different forms of extremism and what they mean to us.

"I think we have learnt a lot from the project, and it's nice to see our work sent out to other schools."