A KEIGHLEY school's determination to respond with a positive message to the terrorist attacks in France saw "free hugs" on offer at break time last week. (Jan 12-16)

The initiative was the idea of assistant head teacher Sally Layas and was put into practise by members of the school's sixth form.

Mrs Layas said: "It was wonderful how something so simple could counteract something so horrible and evil. We're a diverse, harmonious school and we're all in it together.

"At break times during the week we had kids walking around school with placards offering free hugs. It was lovely – one boy was getting hugged so constantly I'm sure he's going to have bruises!

"We also had assemblies in the morning led by sixth formers.

"They didn't just look at what happened in Paris – they talked about the attack on the school in Peshawar and the attack by Breivik in Norway.

"It was about showing that this is all hate crime, and that everyone has the potential to commit evil or to be victims of hate. It's not about what faith you are."