HARD-hitting tactics aimed at shocking school children to stay away from drugs do not go far enough according a local politician.

The plan to show a video of Rachel Whitear, who died of heroin abuse aged 21, to Chorley pupils as young as ten and to permanently exclude youngsters caught dealing in drugs was unveiled by the government this week.

Now Ken Ball, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, has said more needs to be done to stop children dabbling in drugs and insists legal action should be taken against parents who let their children take drugs.

Coun Ball's hard-line approach comes despite the central Liberal Democrat group voting for the decriminalisation of cannabis -- a move he described as "disgusting".

He said: "We need parents to start taking responsibility for their kids' actions. I'd shock the parents as well as the kids.

Coun Ball, 59, of Chapel Lane, Coppull, added: "I don't think the Liberal Democrat party were right to vote to decriminalise cannabis. I was disgusted with them. I don't think they are in touch with reality, neither are the Conservatives or Labour. I'd lock anybody who deals in drugs up and throw away the key."

In Chorley's schools there is a common policy of excluding pupils who deal drugs. Parklands High, Southport Road, has been showing the Rachel Whitear video for the past year and has had visits from Paul Betts, whose daughter Leah died after taking ecstasy, to dissuade youngsters from taking drugs.

Chris Taylor, deputy headteacher at Parklands, said: "There has to be a mixture of drug education and the hard-hitting approach. We've been showing the video to years ten and 11, but do not consider it appropriate for younger pupils."