BARRY school children followed the force to the Theatre Royal this week - the police force that is.

Thanks to the new Communities First policing scheme, Years four and five from Oakfield Primary School and Ysgol Gwaun y Nant went to see the blockbuster film Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones.

Everything was taken care of for a perfect day and the police paid the full price of the day out.

Thomas Coaches stepped into the breach, making repeat journeys to get the children from school, while Morrisons came up trumps with two chocolate bars and a can of pop for every pupil.

But it was more than just a fun day out. PC Wayne Locke said: "We put some real thought into this scheme.

"The aim is to let children see that the police are approachable and not ogres who arrest people and chase after cars.

"We're coming up to the summer holidays, we want to make sure if we see any of the children from the two Gibbonsdown schools, they will be eager to talk to us. It's the first year it's been run and we hope it will be a success."

Rhian Griffiths has been a teacher at Oakfield Primary for four years.

She said: "This is a wonderful idea. Since the Communities First scheme came into the area, we have officers visiting us quite often and in a very relaxed way. It all helps to improve their image in the eyes of the children.

"A lot of these pupils have been looking forward to this for nearly a month. They've had their SATs and this is a lovely treat for them."

Pupil Kimberley Higgins, 11, of Aberaeron Close, said: "I've seen a little bit of the first film and I'm looking forward to this one. The police are really nice for organising this for us."