A scheme that empowers children as young as four to stay safe from abuse reached more than 20,000 primary school pupils in Cambridgeshire last year, new figures reveal.

The NSPCC’s Speak Out Stay Safe programme was delivered to 8,603 children at 22 primary schools across the local education authority during the last school year.

The figures come as volunteers prepare to speak to more youngsters in Cambridgeshire as the new school term begins.

The fully initiative sees assemblies take place with reception and years one and two pupils, as well as more in-depth interactive talks and workshops with older students.

Primary school children are taught about different forms of child abuse, such as neglect, bullying and physical and sexual abuse.

Michelle Newton, NSPCC schools service co-ordinator, said: “It’s important that children all over the country are empowered about how to speak out and stay safe from abuse.

“The Speak Out Stay Safe scheme can help protect a generation of children from abuse and neglect and we are always looking for volunteers and schools to sign up to take part in this vital programme.”