AWARENESS about driving the morning after a night out drinking alcohol was the main theme driven home to students at an event at Middlesbrough College.

The road safety event aimed to help students understand the consequences and dangers they will be able to try out 'beer goggles' and try to perform simple tasks such as a child's shape sorter, there will also be an alcohol unit calculator available, as well as 'mocktails' to taste.

Fire crews were also carrying out vehicle safety checks which will included, checking lights are working, making sure wiper blades are working, ensuring tyres are satisfactory, filling up washer fluid and giving road safety advice.

Ed Parrish, watch manager at Marine Station, said: "People often don't realise they are over the limit the next morning after drinking the evening before but by demonstrating this to the students we hope they will be more aware and make a choice of either not drinking or not driving.”

The event was organised by Cleveland Fire Brigade in conjunction with Cleveland Police and Middlesbrough Council's Road Safety Team.

Lynn Hepworth, the council's road safety officer, said: "If you don't drink and drive this Christmas you reduce the risk of killing an innocent person, or yourself. It is really that simple.

"Our message is clear: Do not let a selfish decision ruin your life or someone else's, Christmas should be a time for celebration and not for spending a night in a cell."

To find out more about road safety visit clevelandfire.gov.uk/road