A ROYAL helicopter crash, the risk of chemical contamination, and an anti-war march — all in a day’s work for these Oxford pupils.

Students from across the city got a taste of a day in the life of the emergency services this week, starting with an imaginary air disaster involving Prince William, inset.

Sixth form pupils from St Edwards School, Cheney School, Headington School and Magdalen College School, were told to imagine a situation in which a helicopter carrying the next in line to the throne crashed in the University Parks.

They had to take on the role of the fire and rescue service, police and ambulance, by brainstorming how to safeguard the priceless artefacts in the nearby museums, close roads and issue press statements.

Next, the teenagers were told Oxford University, in connection with the UK Government, had been experimenting with anthrax spores which could be disseminated if the helicopter exploded.

And to top it all off, students were planning a march protesting against the war in Afghanistan past the scene.

Firefighter and school liaison officer Amanda Reading is pictured with the students at St Edward’s School, North Oxford Emily Marshall, 17, a boarder at St Edward’s, said the experience had been very realistic.

She said: “I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to see a different side to these sorts of things.”

The day was organised by Blake Lapthorn Solicitors, which carries out similar programmes in schools in Hampshire.