THEY bring a whole new meaning to the term boy racer but they're the safest drivers in town.

For probably the world's first pre-school driving course is putting children through their paces - in toy cars.

In between trying to run over Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council mascot Spike the children at Chaloner Hall Day Nursery in Guisborough drove around a coned course and learnt not to play on the roads.

Amid the children's laughter, Mike Hall, the council's road safety officer, stressed the serious side of the one-hour course. It was introduced by council and police officers because of the proliferation of model cars, which can cost up to £500, and reports that they are being taken out on the roads.

He said: "We have had several complaints including one from a driver who had to swerve to avoid a little lad driving the car along a main road - and his parents were walking on the pavement alongside him.

"We can give the youngsters some very useful dos and don'ts about where and when to use these cars, but it's up to the parents to be responsible. They need to be pressing home the road safety message as well."

Cleveland police officer PC Paul McCabe added that parents should only allow the vehicles to be driven in secure play areas.

He said: "The dangers arising from the use of these cars on busy roads speak for themselves. They're not designed for that - the best and safest places are secure play areas."

Nursery manager Sally Hazlewood said: "I think the training sessions area great idea. I'm sure people might think it's funny for youngsters to get driving lessons, but we've all got to be so aware of the dangers that could happen."

Chaloner Hall Day Nursery is the first organisation to take part in the course in the East Cleveland area.

Other nursery groups or primary schools interested in setting up a driving course, which includes an appearance from road safety mascot Spike, should contact the council's road safety team on (01287) 612368.