PAULINE and Mick Holcroft, parents of high-profile heroin victim Rachel Whitear, are going back to her former school - and, in a way, she is going with them.

Their emotive visit is to the PTA which is getting ready to show 'Rachel's Story', a hard-hitting educational video featuring Rachel's dead body, to pupils later this year.

"The meeting will be to talk to parents about ideas on how we present it to pupils.

"There has been so much on the news but I don't think any parents have seen the whole thing through," said head teacher Tony Wray.

Support information for teachers highlights the importance of a sensitive approach in class.

"It is very important that as a teacher you have all the information available about the students you are going to deliver this to. If these young people come from a home where drug use is common place or if their siblings are users, they may find parts of the session uncomfortable.

Respect

"This is a video about a real person. It has not been scripted and acted out. There really was a Rachel Whitear and there really is a 'big hole' that she left behind.

" It has always been the intention of the producers to deal with the issues in a sensitive, professional and respectful manner ... all we can do is ask you to show due regard for these concerns."

Teachers and parents with older children at Aylestone will remember Rachel as a bright young woman who left school with 10 GCSEs and a promising academic career ahead.

She also excelled as a pianist. A music award is presented each year at the school in her memory.

Since the video's launch as part of a county schools education pack called Balance, Mr and Mrs Holcroft from Ledbury have visited Hereford Cathedral School and John Kyrle High School, Ross-on-Wye.

They also appeared on Jeremy Vine's BBC Radio Two programme on Wednesday, January 8, when they joined discussions about the legalisation of drugs.