RAMSBOTTOM teenagers saw the devastating effects of dangerous driving for themselves in a hard-hitting presentation at the town's youth centre.

The youngsters, aged between 14 and 16, met Community Fire Safety Officer Andy Graham to hear about the dangers of speeding, drink and drug- driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

Andy spoke about the impact of road deaths and injuries on young people and their families before showing them a video of interviews with bereaved families and emergency service professionals who have witnessed the horror of road crashes first-hand.

Despite young drivers aged between 17 to 25 accounting for just one in 15 drivers, more than a quarter of drivers killed are within that age group.

Andy, who has been an operational firefighter for more than 18 years in Bury, volunteered to educate young drivers after being trained by the FedEx and Brake Road Safety Academy. The academy is co-ordinated by Brake, the national road safety charity, and funded through FedEx training volunteers to spread road safety education in their local community and help save lives.

Andy said: "Deaths and injuries of young people on the roads devastate families and communities. I hope that by teaching young people about the consequences of speeding, drink and drug- driving and not belting up I can make a real difference to road safety in Ramsbottom.

"I urge anyone who is concerned about road safety to contact Brake and find out about getting involved in this project."

To find out more about the academy, call Brake on 01484 559909, email iwanttohelp@brake.org.uk or visit www.brake.org.uk