CHILDREN are being given religious education lessons with the help of 3D-cinema.

A £250,000 computer-equipped converted trailer is visiting three Bolton schols - George Tomlinson, Canon Slade and Harper Green - to take the Christian message to pupils.

As they step aboard the trailer, the youngsters are each handed 3D glasses through which to view the screen.

They then learn about Christian teaching on forgiveness, fear and rejection - and see teenage characters in everyday situations.

The Sycamore Project Christian charity , which operates Zac's Youth Bar in Farnworth, has made links with another Christian charity, Counties, to launch the scheme in Bolton.

Sharon Loak, Pastoral Youth Worker at the Sycamore Project said: "We look at how Jesus has been through everyday situations himself and how he understands our troubles."

The mobile classroom has been designed so it has a very dramatic "embryonic" atmosphere. The sound of a beating heart is piped through the sound system and it is darkly lit, which has a calming effect on the youngsters.

Sharon said the mobile classroom allowd RE to be taught in an interactive way rather than the class discussion format that is normally used when the subject is taught.

She said: "The children have absolutely loved it and the teachers have been really impressed with the lesson content."

Canon Slade youngsters have already been visited by the trailer and the pupils enjoyed it so much that the school has requested that it returns for another week.

This week the trailer is at George Tomlinson School.

David Jump, a teacher at George Tomlinson, said: "It looks very professional. It is good for the kids to have something different.

"It allows children to see everyday situations they come across from the Christian point of view."