SOUTH Hams council is appealing for residents to join a campaign to make the internet safer.

The council's community safety team has collaborated with South West Grid for Learning and Devon and Cornwall Police to warn ­residents about the dangers of the internet and to deliver talks to young people.

This week the council offered internet safety training to more than 1,100 pupils at Ivybridge Community College.

Experts from South West Grid for Learning visited the school on Wednesday to speak with students about topics ranging from digital footprints and cyber relationships to social networking and online gaming.

The e-safety sessions are available to young people from primary school age right through to sixth formers, as well as at parents' evenings.

The team is inviting ­primary schools in the area to become involved and is encouraging parents and guardians to request talks at their childrens' schools.

Devon and Cornwall Police is also promoting 'Operation Jessica', an initiative launched to help protect the elderly or vulnerable from falling victim to

the increasing numbers of ­fraudsters.

South Hams councillor Simon Wright, spokesman for environmental health and housing, said: 'Young people have the right to feel safe online and parents need reassurance that their children are being protected.

'These talks are a wonderful way to understand more about the virtual world and I'd appeal to parents to consider asking their schools for presentations or guidance on the matter.

'We hope the council's work around Safer Internet Day has raised awareness of the issues facing young people on the web and has provided some practical advice on how to take ­sensible precautions to reduce risks online.'