A driving instructor is offering lessons to 14-year-olds in a bid to cut deaths on the roads.

Craig Ramshaw has launched 'Teendrive' to try and curb the number of young people involved in accidents on the roads.

The scheme has already proved successful in a number of schools and it is now being rolled out to the public.

He said: “When I was training to be a driving instructor one of the subjects on the course was death on the roads among the young.

“It made me realise there are too many stories of fatal accidents involving young and inexperienced drivers on the roads and gave me the idea to put something in place to educate them.

“This way it means that by the time they can legally drive they will already be used to being in a car and using it and, hopefully, this will make them better drivers.”

Craig, who is based in Grangetown, Sunderland, will be using Gateshead College’s 3km test track, which is at Nissan’s Wearside plant.

He said: “The idea is that we teach 14-year-olds and over exactly the same syllabus as when they are 17, so it’s giving them early education.

“I’ve been in several schools across Sunderland and I’ve had brilliant feedback so, hopefully, this will be a success too.”

Paul Gough, head of commercial operations at Gateshead College, added: “This is a new facility for the college and further adds to our reputation as a major centre for automotive training services.

“There is no similar facility in the north of England so it provides a unique asset for regional companies, like Teendrive, and can be used for a variety of uses.

“We are delighted to be working with Teendrive and feel that the test track is perfect for their work, helping them to teach practices in an off-road and safe environment.”

• For more details on Teendrive, visit www.teendrive.co.uk