THE Bolton Advanced Motorists Group has received a £3,200 award from the Bolton Community Chest which will help drivers to stay safe.

The Community Chest award, which is administered by the Bolton Council for Voluntary Service, will pay for 40 places for people aged 25 or under and 55 or over on advanced driving courses.

Roy Sammons, chairman of Bolton Advanced Motorists, said: "We all have a responsibility to improve our driving skills, whether we are newly qualified drivers with little experience or much older drivers with rusty skills, unable to handle the pressure of modern day driving.

"This award provides the group with the opportunity to help both drivers improve their standards, achieve a greater degree of confidence and maintain their independence."

Drivers under 21 are involved in 17 per cent of all car-related accidents, account for 19 per cent of serious injury accidents and 22 per cent of deaths despite accounting for only five per cent of car licence holders.

Over 55s tend to be involved in a greater number of minor accidents, resulting in less serious injury. However, despite their road experience, driving skills need to be brushed up on to cope with the increasingly busy road and motorway networks.

More information is available on 01204 361064 or e-mail motorists@aol.com.