A CAR crash that claimed the life of a teenage girl has inspired a theatre project designed to boost road safety.

The group behind the project got together after the sister of one of the members died in a road accident near Richmond, North Yorkshire, almost two years ago.

The sixth-form students, from Bedale High School, initially developed the project, titled The 3 Tequilas, as part of their GCSE drama coursework.

It was set up as a live theatre performance group offering workshops for young people highlighting the consequences of road traffic collisions.

Their efforts have now won them the North Yorkshire Crimebeat Award, earning them £1,000 in prize money and allowing them to go forward to the competition's national final.

Crimebeat is a charity that encourages young people to get involved with crime reduction activities and create safer communities. It works closely with the police, probation service, youth offending teams and local authorities.

The performance written by The 3 Tequilas highlights the deep and widespread emotional impacts of a car crash in which a young girl dies, showing how the tragedy affects a wide range of people.

The group, Chris Andrade, Laura Bailey, Leonie Bleasdale, Ashleigh Robinson, Jack Sadler and Becky Taylor, are also hoping to work on a professional DVD of the drama, which would become part of an educational resource pack for schools, colleges and youth agencies.

A spokesman for the group said: "We are really excited to have won against some very strong competition and are thrilled at the prospect of being put forward to the national finals."

North Yorkshire County Council's executive member for children and young people, Councillor Caroline Patmore, said: "It is fantastic to see young people in North Yorkshire acting so positively, particularly against such a tragic backdrop. If just one life or injury is saved through their work, then the project has been more than worthwhile."

Ian Marr, district manager of Bedale community education, said: "The journey so far has been a superb opportunity for North Yorkshire County Council to work with an extremely talented, committed and passionate group of young people who have the capacity to save lives."