The award-winning alcohol awareness theatre production 'Smashed' is returning to schools in Cumbria.

The initiative, which has been running for 20 years, aims to tackle the issue of underage drinking through 'engaging, interactive performances'.

Nine schools in Cumbria will benefit from the programme.

The tour of the county kickstarted with Cartmel Priory School and Kirkby Stephen Grammar School yesterday (October 14), with St Bernard's High School and Furness Academy being paid a visit today.

Keswick School will see a performance tomorrow, while West Lakes Academy and The Whitehaven Academy will see the production on Thursday.

The tour of Cumbria will end with a visit to Workington Academy and Netherhall School on Friday.

The project is an educational theatre production by Collingwood Learning, supported by Diageo.

The production is set to tour the county (Image: Portland Communications)

Over the years, 'Smashed' has educated more than 580,000 students in Great Britain and 5.5 million students globally.

In the 2023-24 school year alone, it reached more than 80,000 students in the UK.

The initiative combines live theatre performances, interactive workshops, and digital experiences to educate young people about the 'causes and consequences' of underage drinking.

It aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting health and well-being among adolescents.

Nuno Teles, managing director at Diageo GB, said: "I am so proud that 'Smashed' has reached its twentieth year in Great Britain.

"This really is a testament to the incredible impact of the programme worldwide, consistently delivering a fantastic learning experience for young people with a proven significant increase in understanding of the dangers of underage drinking.

"At Diageo, we are deeply committed to tackling underage drinking and we hope that the students we are visiting across Cumbria will not only gain valuable insights from the performances, but also leave better informed and prepared to make responsible choices about alcohol."

The programme is designed to not just inform, but also transform attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol consumption among young people.

In the 2023-24 school year, 73 per cent of students said they were less likely to drink alcohol underage following the 'Smashed' performance.

Chris Simes, managing director at Collingwood Learning, said: "We are excited to return to Cumbria with Smashed Live in Autumn 2024.

"Despite the progress made in reducing underage drinking across Great Britain, it remains crucial to continue reinforcing our message, and our team is eager to engage young people in Cumbria about the ongoing health and social risks of drinking underage."

83 per cent of students stated they have 'some' or 'lots' of knowledge about the risks of drinking alcohol underage after attending a 'Smashed' session.

The production aims to raise awareness around alcohol (Image: Portland Communications)

Additionally, 89 per cent of students said they feel equipped to make the right choices about drinking alcohol, and 87 per cent stated they would know where to get help if they or someone they knew were having problems with alcohol.

For more information on the 'Smashed' programme and its upcoming tour, visit the 'Smashed' website.

Schools not reached by the live tour can also take part in 'Smashed Online'.