SHOCKING footage of the body of a teenage boy being cut from a car after a fatal crash is to be shown to youngsters to warn them of the dangers of "joyriding".

The family of Liam Richardson have allowed the video, which was recorded by the emergency services, to be used as part of a police road safety programme.

Liam, 13, died in January last year when the stolen vehicle in which he was a passenger careered through a fence on a back road in West Cornforth, County Durham.

His father, Gary, said: "We didn't even know the film existed until the police called to ask if we would allow it to be used. We didn't hesitate to give our permission.

"At the end of the day, we have lost our Liam and nothing will bring him back, and if we can help get the message across to kids about joyriding, then we are all for it."

The footage will be used as part of Durham Constabulary's initiative Wise Drive, which targets 16-year-old school pupils.

Army cadet Liam suffered multiple injuries when the stolen car he was in flew 65ft through the air before overturning and crashing through a boundary fence at a scrapyard.

The 14-year-old who was driving it later admitted causing death by dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking.

Since Liam's death, both of his parents, who live in Ferryhill, County Durham, have become interested in youth work. His mother, Angela, 40, is planning to volunteer to work with young offenders.

Mr Richardson, a former factory worker, has a job at a centre for children who have been excluded from mainstream schools.