A cuddly monkey has been helping schoolchildren learn about where to go when they are sick.

Helen Sadler and Monkey are touring primary schools across Brighton and Hove to talk about the NHS’s Great Choices Make Great Heroes campaign.

This reminds people to stop and think before heading to the accident and emergency department at the city’s Royal Sussex County Hospital or the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, and to consider the alternatives available.

This includes a walk-in centre next to Brighton Station, the NHS 111 helpline and pharmacists.

The aim is to ease pressure on already overstretched A&E departments and means people with minor problems are seen and treated more quickly.

Ms Sadler, 40, who lives near Lewes, came up with the idea of Monkey when her daughter was admitted for an operation at the Royal Alex.

She wanted to make the experience as easy as possible for her daughter so used photos of the toy in different locations around the hospital to create a picture book that explained everything that was going to happen before and after the operation.

The idea has since spread and subjects include having a blood test, an asthma attack, having and injection and learning about healthy living and NHS services.

The most recent heroes assembly was held at St Mary’s Primary School in Church Road, Portslade.

Ms Sadler said: “The response of the children to the assemblies has been great and they have really been enjoying themselves. Especially when they get to wear the superhero masks.”

The heroes campaign is run by the Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group.

Nurse Launa Rolf said: “From talking to children in schools across the city, it’s clear that awareness of A&E alternatives such as calling 111 or visiting Brighton’s walk-in centre is generally low.

“Superhero Monkey brings factual information about accessing urgent care to life in a way that is fun, easily understood and enthusiastically shared with parents at the end of the day.”

For more details about the campaign and the alternatives to A&E, visit www.wecouldbeheroes.nhs.uk, which includes a special page listing pharmacies and other service opening times over the Easter break.