SAFETY campaigners are looking for young people with first-hand experience of the devastating effects of road crashes to help spread the road safety message.

Brake, the road safety group, has joined forces with Lancashire police to produce a video for schools and colleges across the country.

The film will feature the stories of crash victims and their friends and relatives in a bid to urge other young drivers to take care on the roads.

Brake is looking for young people aged under 25 to feature in the video and spread the message that safe driving saves lives.

They want to hear from those who knew others killed or seriously injured because of drink-driving, speeding, tiredness, joy riding, drug-driving and not wearing a seat-belt.

Mary Williams, executive director of Brake, said: "Ten per cent of licences are held by people aged between 17 and 25. Yet one person in three killed on the roads is in the same age bracket. "Thousands more are seriously injured, often resulting in severe scarring. Brake is working to stop this unnecessary death and injury on the road, but we need young people's help to do this.

"Accounts from friends and relatives will serve as a stark reminder to school children and sixth form students of the importance of safer driving.

"They will also reinforce the message that people of any age can die or be seriously injured in a crash."

Cheryl Hill, road safety adviser for Lancashire Constabulary, said:"By the end of the this year, more than 700 young people will have lost their lives on the roads countrywide.

"This is unacceptable and avoidable. But the toll can be significantly reduce by the police working closely together with other roads safety organisations and individual road users."

For more informatio contact Rebecca Hill at Brake on 01484 559909.