A PIONEERING education video, showing pictures of the dead Herefordshire heroin addict Rachel Whitear, is to have the shock factor taken out - according to her parents.

Herefordshire Council's decision to recommend that schools show Rachel's Story in three parts has angered Mick and Pauline Holcroft, whose 23-year-old daughter is featured as a three-day-old corpse.

The Ledbury couple met the council's education official on Monday to voice their concerns.

"They have broken the video into three parts and we have big concerns about that," said Pauline. "Really they are recommending how the teachers will use it."

The couple disapprove of the title given to the package accompanying the video, Balance.

"We aren't too happy about that because it's widely known as Rachel's Story," said Pauline.

Kneeling

Anne Heath, the council's head of children's and students' services, said the video watched in three parts accompanied a series of lesson plans, the third of which involved viewing the film in its entirety.

"The Holcrofts felt it would be more important to show the video in its entirety first. We don't agree from the results of consultations with pupils and practice sessions," she said.

A second set of teachers' notes will be produced for schools wanting to show the video as a one-off. She said the education package included lessons on smoking and alcohol and it was for student to balance choices in life, hence the title. It will now be lengthened to incorporate "including Rachel's Story".

The council, in agreement, with Mr and Mrs Holcroft, has also reduced one clip of Rachel's body from six seconds to three.

The time is made up with a new picture showing Rachel's corpse in a kneeling position.

Balance, with Rachel's Story, is due to be launched on Friday, September 27, at Hereford's Courtyard Theatre.