SIXTH form students were given a harsh lesson in the importance of careful driving by Cleveland Fire Brigade.

Year 13 students at Teesside High School in Eaglescliffe were shown footage of accidents to demonstrate to new drivers just what would happen to their cars if they were trapped inside.

The fire officers brought with them a pair of huge metal cutters used for cutting off the roof of a car, along with a film showing how it would then be peeled back.

The footage showed that even a very slightly damaged car could end up like an open sardine tin if the occupant was unable to get out because of injury.

Head of sixth form Malcolm Wilkinson said: "The presentation certainly forced home the message about the awful consequences of careless driving."