RELIGIOUS education in schools has come a long way from the days when pupils studied the Christian faith by sitting behind a desk reading the Bible.

Today, as in many subjects, computers and multi-media are used as valuable teaching aides, but now they are being used in conjunction with a 'GSUS' trailer - a mobile classroom.

After a very successful spell at North Bromsgrove High School, this week the mobile classroom rolled in to South Bromsgrove High School in Charford Road.

Students from the high school and some middle schools spend a 45 minute session in the classroom learning about aspects of the Christian faith, under the guidance of one of the ministers from Bromsgrove churches.

Students choose a theme, and the computer then presents them with an imaginary postcard from a young teenager asking for help with a question.

The student then uses the computer to research the Christian answer to the problem and sends a 'postcard' in reply.

Back will come a further question on the theme, and the student looks further into the matter.

The approach has captured the imagination of students.

Martin Murphy, chairman of Churches Together in Bromsgrove which organised the visit, said: "The young people really identified with the characters and the issues presented. They went away, noisily discussing the advice they had given to the characters. I think they'll be ready for any challenge we give them to follow this up."

Next it is the turn of pupils at Bromsgrove School to play host to the trailer.