Maldon's Plume Academy is working with a local dementia action group as part of a national week to raise awareness of the condition - and educate students about the issues associated with it.

The academy has decided to join other local High Street businesses and organisations in declaring support publicly in a united stand against dementia.

Dementia Action Week runs from today (Monday, 17 May) until Friday, 23 May - but the work of the school with regard to the project will continue.

Staff and students will work with Mark Neville as part of the Maldon District Dementia Action Alliance (MDDAA) and Amy Melton, who works with United in Kind for the Maldon district.

Chris Barton, who leads community engagement at Plume said: "As an academy we have decided to take our first steps on a long journey to become a dementia-friendly school. We have a lot of work ahead of us working in partnership with MDDAA and United in Kind, which we are very much looking forward to starting.

"Our aim is to educate our pupils about the issues associated with dementia and establish a proactive involvement within the community. Carl is very keen for our academy to be involved and associated with the excellent work that MDDAA are carrying out."

To kick start the project with pupils, staff and the wider public, the academy has commissioned a professionally made all weather large banner. This will be displayed prominently at the front of the school during Dementia Action Week.