Children have been learning about the perils of drugs, drink and domestic violence by taking part in a hard-hitting play.

More than a dozen 10- and 11-year-olds from primary schools in Oxford have been rehearsing for the Secret Plays on the Leys project.

On Monday night, the 14-strong cast will perform the play Secrets for an audience including their parents.

The children will then take questions on their roles and why they thought their characters made certain choices about issues including smoking, sniffing glue and eating disorders.

Sasha East, community involvement worker for Blackbird Leys, said: "The play is pretty moving. The children are taking it very seriously and have been forming quite a close group between themselves.

"They’ve been working really hard to get ready for Monday."

Two children from each of Orchard Meadow, Pegasus, St John Fisher, Windale, John Henry Newman, Rose Hill and Mabel Pritchard primary schools have spent a day a week out of classes to rehearse.

Shannon Steepe, 11, from Orchard Meadow, said: "It’s a good thing because it shows people what sort of dangers teenagers face if they can’t talk to their parents."

Antonia Oluwatuyi, 10, from John Henry Newman, said: "Acting has always been my dream. This teaches us a lesson about young people."

The budding actors added their own interpretations to the 40-minute play during rehearsals at The Barn, in Long Ground, Greater Leys.

They were coached by director Hugh Turner from the What Matters Theatre Company.

The cast will also present their play to their classmates at each school.

Ms East said: "It’s an opportunity for schools to get together and look at some of the difficult issues young people face — like domestic violence, bullying, drugs and alcohol."