YOUNGSTERS have been given a taste of life in the driving seat as part of a scheme to make them better drivers.

The Megadrive scheme has been operating in the Langbaurgh Police area for the last four years and Cleveland Police believe it is so successful that they ran it again this week.

It is the only force in the country that operates such a programme.

The scheme invited 16 and 17-year-olds to attend the course at Redcar Racecourse to learn theoretical driving skills, information about buying and owning a car, basic car maintenance and have a go behind the wheel.

There were also a variety of specialists to give advice on the consequences of drink driving and to show the youngsters how to change a car wheel.

At "Honest John's" car shop, the youngsters were shown what to look out for when it comes to buying a second-hand car and to avoid buying one that has been welded together from two write-off vehicles.

However, the main appeal of the scheme is the chance to have a first attempt at driving in a dual control car around the racecourse car park.

Sergeant Ian Hutchinson, from the community safety department at Langbaurgh Police, said it is difficult to quantify the success of the scheme, but believes it is an important way of cutting the high accident rate among young drivers.

"We think it is worthwhile enough to keep it going. The kids enjoy it and if they learn something at the same time, it makes them safer drivers, which is good news for everyone," he said