A headteacher is holding an open evening for parents battling to survive their children's terrible teenage years.

The unusual event will give parents struggling with temperamental teenagers, ideas on how to get through the difficult time.

The event is the brainchild of Dr Jill Clough, who has turned round the fortunes of the once-failing East Brighton College of Media Arts (CoMArt) in Whitehawk, Brighton, since she took over two years ago.

Living With Teenagers: A Survival Kit, will be open to all parents whose children attend the college.

Dr Clough said parents were invited to share problems they had encountered with teenagers and offer solutions to others on how they coped.

The evening will be held at CoMArt on Tuesday at 6pm.

It is part of a three-day open event at the college, which includes an evening session on Monday for parents wanting to help their children succeed at school.

Dr Clough said: "Instead of lecturing parents, they can come and pool their experiences. It appears to help when people have an insight into other people's experiences."

She says the open evenings are intended to break down barriers between parents and teachers.

She said: "Some parents view us with a little suspicion. They haven't been too hot to join the parent-teacher association and this is a way of being helpful to them."