A HARD-HITTING DVD aimed at highlighting the effects of traffic accidents to young drivers has been praised by a Government minister.

Jim Fitzpatrick, who has responsibility for fire, visited Cleveland Fire Brigade headquarters yesterday to watch a demonstration of the Learn and Live Project.

The project is taken into colleges where firefighters talk to 16 and 17-year-olds who are approaching or have reached driving age.

Using the DVD, which has graphic scenes of road accidents, the youngsters are shown the possible effects of accidents in the hope it will help improve their driving.

It has already been taken to colleges in the area and has received positive feedback from youngsters who are shocked by what they see.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: "It was pretty horrifying. There was a very powerful message and it will hopefully protect young people from the dangers of road traffic accidents."

The DVD was devised by watch manager Jimmy Russ.

He said: "It is short, sharp and shocking. We hope everyone who watches it will leave with an image from the film that will prevent them taking a risk - and hopefully this will save lives."

Earlier in the day, Mr Fitzpatrick visited Safety Works, an interactive safety centre created by Tyne and Wear Fire Service.

What was a large storage area has been transformed to become an inner urban area with a number of sections including a house, a street scene, a Metro station and a building site.

Visitors to the works participate in realistic situations illustrating everyday hazards and how they can be prevented.