CHILDREN still too young to hold a driving licence had a taste of life behind the wheel yesterday.

Pupils from years 10 and 11 at Harelaw School, in Catchgate, near Stanley, tried out a £500,000 driving simulator based on a Vauxhall Corsa.

The machine aims to provide a driving experience as close to reality as possible.

The youngsters, aged 14 to 16, also had to answer questions from the driving theory test and take part in a series of hazard perception exercises.

John Fox, head of technology at the school, said: "It has been a good day. It went really well and the kids all had a good time with the simulator."

The event was part of driving school BSM's safety roadshow. Andy Brown, of BSM, said: "Learning to drive is a number one priority for most young people.

"The roadshow gives students the chance to drive a car in a safe and controlled environment and to have some fun at the same time."