INTERNET-savvy youngsters are helping their classmates to stay safe online thanks to a pioneering scheme.

Barnton Community Primary School is the first school in Cheshire to join the award-winning eCadets scheme, where youngsters advise other pupils on how to protect themselves online.

The scheme, which has more than 1,000 eCadets in schools across England and Wales, was the brainchild of former Cheshire Police Sergeant Henry Platten and his wife Danielle, who run successful company eTreble9, advising about online security for companies and individuals.

Barnton has a team of pupils from reception to year six who are trained as eCadets and advise fellow students how to protect themselves when browsing the internet, using social media on smart phones and tablets or playing online games.

To ensure that the scheme reaches out into the school’s community it also features eParents and eGovernors alongside the eCadets.

The pupils welcomed Tatton MP George Osborne onto the team when he agreed to be their honorary eCadet during a visit by the Chancellor to the primary school.

Mr Osborne said: “I was honoured to be asked by the pupils to become an e-cadet.

“Online safety is so important and pupils, teachers and parents all have a role to play in this. I was impressed by how clued up the children were.”

Barnton Community Primary School head teacher Annette Williams is delighted with the impact the eCadet scheme has had in her school, which has more than 300 pupils, and is keen to prepare the pupils for a future in a world where internet use is commonplace.

She said: “We know that many children use smart phones, iPods and tablets. Many also use X-Boxes and play online. We wanted to help them reinforce and enhance their skills in staying safe and empower them to be able to teach others how to stay safe.

“Being part of eCadets will help to ensure this and future generations of our pupils will have the skills and know-how to address esafety issues, and it is important knowledge they will take with them as they move up into secondary school and beyond.”