BUDDING movie producers at two County Durham secondary schools have created films to promote road safely.

Year 7 pupils from Seaham High School and Park View School, North Lodge, Chester-le-Street, put forward their proposals during a Dragon’s Den-style event.

A winning group from each school worked with members of the Riot Act Theatre Group to develop a script and record their film. Their final productions will be shown next week.

The project is part of Durham County Council’s Slow to 20 for Safer Streets campaign, which has seen the introduction of 20mph limits and zones on roads near more than 60 schools.

The youngsters were given the chance to pitch a film concept after watching a road safety drama performance by Riot Act.

The hour-long session explained the aims of the Slow to 20 initiative and covered a number of road safety schemes, including distractions, peer pressure and influence, failure to look, safer crossing points and strategies for crossing the road.

Riot Act Theatre creative director Dan Hobson said: “The students get quite excited about films.

“They are quite sophisticated in their knowledge, now that films can be made on smartphones and tablets.

“The students created road safety messages in packages they can be proud of.”

He added: “We made two quite different films, stylistically as well as the story.

“They are only short films, but the students were fantastic – directing and acting in them.

“On Friday we will hold a mini-Oscars with best directors and performers along with a big screen showing at Durham County Hall.”

County council road safety manager Paul Watson said: “It’s essential that we make motorists aware of the 20mph zones but it’s equally as important that we educate our children about road safety.

“The drama performances and chance to pitch film ideas are a great way of engaging with young people and passing these important messages on.”

The project is accompanied by an education programme.