INTERACTIVE safety centre LV=Streetwise celebrated 15 years of life-saving work yesterday and announced a series of exciting new initiatives.

Dignitaries and VIP guests from across the county attended a special celebration at the Elliott Road centre in Bournemouth, which has helped hundreds of thousands of children learn how to keep themselves and others safe.

The occasion saw the unveiling of a new hospital ward scenario, and manager Alison Shelton told guests they also had plans to create a mock nightclub and off-licence within the next year.

Dorset’s Chief Fire Officer Darran Gunter said: “We pay the admission fees for about 13,000 young people every year, which over the 15 years is nearly 200,000 young people. We save lives by changing lives.

“We have real evidence, real stories where young children have gone away and on the same day or years later implemented that advice and saved the lives of their families.”

And Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill paid tribute to Alison and her team for educating children in a fun and entertaining way.

“The building exudes fun and happiness and that is no small feat to achieve in a learning environment,” he said.

There were tributes too from Chief Constable Debbie Simpson, The Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Mrs Anthony Pitt-Rivers and High Sheriff of Dorset Catriona Payne.

All the guests were entertained by pupils from Pokesdown Primary School, who performed a rousing rendition of ‘The Streetwise Song’.

Alison said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to share this day with so many wonderful people, from the Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff to our chiefs of the emergency services and our fantastic volunteers and sponsors.

“"It means a lot to the charity to have them share our special day."

She also urged guests to consider joining her in a fundraising skydive next year.

More details of this event are on Streetwise’s website.