CHILDREN at a Basingstoke secondary school have been learning about the perils posed by loan sharks.

Pupils at Brighton Hill Community School, in Brighton Way, Brighton Hill, took part in a competition to design a poster warning people of the dangers of illegal money lending.

The winner of the competition was 16-year-old Sinead Boness-Braybrooke, whose poster included the slogan ‘Don’t let loan sharks take a bite out of your life’.

Callum Perrin, 13, came second.

Chief Inspector Steve Wallace, Basingstoke and Deane district commander, visited the school to judge the posters.

He said: “In the current financial climate, it can be very tempting for people to turn to loan sharks if they are having money troubles.

“However, this practice is illegal and people can find themselves in an even worse situation if they use loan sharks. There are many organisations that are legal and can help.

“This competition is a great way of teaching young people about money and budgeting and the awful consequences of getting involved with loan sharks.”

The competition was arranged by PC Wendy Austin, from Basingstoke police station. She told pupils that loan sharks are people who lend money without the appropriate licence issued by the Office of Fair Trading, and that they use intimidation and violence to get money from their clients.

Anyone who believes that they have been lent money by a loan shark can contact the National Illegal Money Lending Team on 0300 555 2222.