A SPECIALLY-designed car is driving home to children the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

The vehicle, manufactured in conjunction with a local model maker, is on a tour of Middlesbrough primary schools.

By using models as passengers, Middlesbrough Borough Council road safety officers are showing the disastrous effects of a crash for those not strapped in.

It has proved so effective that the car is attracting interest from neighbouring authorities.

Middlesbrough road safety officer David Milford said: "Not wearing a seatbelt means that in the event of a collision, the car effectively becomes a catapult for the passengers inside.

"The lesson starts with the children firing missiles from a model catapult. The model car is then set up to run down a ramp at speed and hit a large solid barrier at the bottom.

"If the dummy passengers aren't strapped in, there are some pretty spectacular events."

The lessons coincide with a campaign to remind people of the legal requirement to wear rear seatbelts.

Mr Milford said: "This graphic presentation is meant to reinforce the message - clunk-click every trip."