THE father of tragic Ecstasy victim Leah Betts is to bring home the dangers of drugs to pupils at Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom on Monday.

Paul and Jan Betts launched a high-profile anti-drugs campaign following the death of their teenager daughter Leah, who died after swallowing an Ecstasy pill on her 18th birthday.

Mr Betts' visit was prompted by the death of a former Woodhey pupil Matthew Ramsbottom, who died from a brain haemorrhage after taking amphetamines at a party last July.

Matthew, who lived at Hill Rise in Ramsbottom, was 17 when he collapsed at a friend's house. Before he died, he spent six days on a life-support machine at Bury General Hospital.

On Monday Mr Betts will talk to parents, pupils and teachers about drug-related issues in two separate sessions. During the day he will address year-eight pupils at the school, and in the evening he will speak to older children, former pupils, parents, and members of the local community.

The evening session, which is open to the public, will be held at St Andrew's Church on Bolton Street, Ramsbottom at 7pm.

In between the two meetings, Mr Betts will visit Matthew's father Steve at his home in Ramsbottom.

Headteacher of Woodhey High School, Mr Frank Bennett, said he hoped the visit would be beneficial not only to the school, but to the whole community.

He said: "Anything that creates an awareness of the danger of drugs is going to have beneficial effect, and Mr Betts is a high-profile figure.

"One of the main issues is educating parents. We are looking to get parents involved because they need to understand the problems involved."

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