Last updated 19:36, Thursday, 03 April 2008

THREE Workington teachers dressed up for the day to raise money to improve their school’s picnic area.CHIEF Constable Craig Mackey has reiterated Cumbria police’s commitment to dealing with drink-fuelled disorder.MORE than 1,000 patients visited accident and emergency departments in north and West Cumbria over Easter.

Mike Kidd, Pete Robinson and Sarah George were chosen by children at Westfield Primary School to spend the day in fancy dress.

Children, parents and staff at the school each paid 20p to vote for the teacher they wanted to see dressed up and they raised £56.

Learning mentor at the school, Louise Starkey, and a group of parents are working on trying to improve the playground.

Mr Kidd dressed up in green clothes for St Patrick’s Day, Mr Robinson in an inflatable sumo wrestler outfit and Mrs George dressed up as an Oompa Loompa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Anyone who has any materials, such as wood and paint, to help with the revamp or has any ideas, can call Louise at the school on 01900 325257.

He told Cumbria Police Authority that officers were working on schemes to tackle problems.

Mr Mackey was responding to concerns raised by county councillor Elizabeth Barraclough, of Keswick.

She told him: “We had a case in Keswick where somebody was beaten up.

“Do you have a feeling about what we can do to prevent trouble rather than arrest after the event?”

Mr Mackey said they were involved with prevention work and the Cumbria Alcohol Strategy, which was launched this week and which aims to address health and other problems.

Injuries ranged from cuts, burns and broken bones to more serious emergencies like heart attacks and strokes.