LIFE-SAVING skills ranging from how to put somebody into the recovery position and how to apply bandages were taught to seven and eight-year-olds at St Bartholomew’s Primary School, in Haslemere.

Nearly 60 pupils from year three received first-aid training from St John Ambulance as part of a countywide scheme to teach schoolchildren skills which could mean the difference between life and death.

The initiative has been made possible due to funding from engineering support company Babcock, and has so far helped more than 4,000 pupils become potential first-aiders since 2014.

JJ Bowley, Babcock’s director of education services, said: “Ensuring children and young people at such a young age are equipped with the skills to save lives is a tremendous thing and the quality of training they get is amazing.”

St John Ambulance’s first-aid trainer, Sally-Anne Nelson said: "The take-up by schools in the county over the last year has shown there’s a real desire to give students the chance to learn these incredible life-saving skills.

“This will give a long-lasting benefit to communities across the county, as any one of those trained could potentially be the difference between a life lost or a life saved in the future."

The company’s education business – Babcock 4S – a joint partnership with Surrey County Council, delivers education improvement and support services across over 400 schools in the county.

Extra funding provided by Babcock will run until July 2016 and schools are being invited to take part, with the aim of training a further 3,000 students.

Training sessions for pupils can include an introduction to resuscitation to other essential life-saving skills, such as how to treat choking, shock, burns and scalds, fainting and chest pains.

For more information about first-aid training in schools, call 0303 003 0101 or go to www.sja.org.uk.