STUDENTS have been commissioned to help encourage youngsters to buckle up on the school bus.

Two North Yorkshire secondary schools have been signed up to produce films on seatbelt safety.

The film produced by Easingwold School explores the reasons for wearing or not wearing seatbelts.

The pupils designed a leaflet to accompany the film and the cover for the DVD, and arranged the music.

Pupils at St John Fisher High School, in Harrogate, produced a hard-hitting drama on a bus crash.

The students were given advice from the emergency services while filming.

The Government is expected to make it law to wear a seatbelt in all vehicles, where they are fitted, later this year.

Councillor John Watson, the county council's executive member for schools, said: "If secondary school pupils have to comply with a new seatbelt law in May, then we need to do all we can to get them to do so.

"It's no good adults simply telling them what's good for them.

"So, by getting these short films prepared by pupils themselves, we are hoping that the message will be communicated better."

The pupils are taking A-levels in media studies and performing arts.

The project will form part of their coursework.

The films are now being edited and are expected to be finished by the beginning of March.

Education bosses say they may be shown in schools outside North Yorkshire.

Figures show secondary school pupils are less likely to wear a seatbelt than primary school children.

Pupils not wearing a seatbelt are more likely to be injured or killed in an accident, experts also say.