THE father of York Ecstasy victim Thomas Staniforth has given 100 pupils and parents a stark insight into the terrible potential consequences of drug misuse.

Gordon Staniforth gave a special talk, illustrated by slides, to youngsters and adults at Manor C of E School, York, about the life and death of his fun-loving soccer player son, and the impact of his "tragic mistake" on his family and friends.

Thomas, a member of Sheffield Wednesday's squad, died last year after collapsing outside a York nightclub. An inquest later decided that consumption of Ecstasy had been a key factor in his death.

Gordon, a former York City star, said: "I talked about the last 14 months since he made a tragic mistake, and about how it has affected the life of the family.

"It was very difficult and very powerful. It went down a bomb. They were absolutely gobsmacked. You could have heard a pin drop."

He said he hoped to have raised awareness of the potential consequences of taking drugs, and damage that could be caused both to users and also their families and friends.

Gordon said he had found the experience emotionally draining. "You don't just turn up and talk for 20 minutes. I had to prepare for it beforehand and of course it brings everything back to you. It's not something I could do every week."

Despite this, he said he would be prepared, on occasion, to give a similar talk to students at other schools in the York area if asked.

Gordon's talk was preceded by a factual drugs awareness talk by Ian Thompson of York Drugs Action Team, who spoke about the effects of alcohol and cigarettes as well as illegal substances.

The evening was organised by Manor School PTA, chaired by Gil Richardson. She said she understood people had left the talk "stunned" by what they had heard. "It was definitely worthwhile," she said.

Meanwhile, Gordon revealed that he had sent off a donation for £4,000 to the National Deaf Children's Society, representing money collected at Thomas's packed funeral and over the subsequent 12 months, including a large donation from Sheffield Wednesday.

He said he had chosen the society to benefit because his stepson Samuel was profoundly deaf.

Updated: 11:25 Wednesday, October 16, 2002