Liam's family hope the footage will help protect others

Hundreds of pupils from County Durham schools will take part in a hard-hitting road safety scheme run by Durham Police.

Liam Richardson, 13, was killed when the stolen car he was a passenger in crashed in West Cornforth last year.

The scheme aims to raise awareness about vehicle and road-related issues.

Liam, from Raby Road, in Ferryhill, died at the scene of the crash last January. Fire brigade film of the incident features in a DVD produced by the police for the scheme.

'Strong impression'

Durham Police road casualty reduction officer Pc Dave Nixon said: "The DVD contains some genuinely shocking images and Liam's family have been very brave to lend their support and allow us to use the footage.

"The presentation always makes a strong impression on the young people taking part in Wise Drive, even when the featured incidents are from outside the North East.

"With Liam's fatal accident being very much closer to home I would think it will make an even greater impact than normal."

The 16-year-olds will go through a range of workshops and practical experiences designed to educate them about driving, buying and maintaining a car in the eight-day 'Wise Drive - Drive for Life' scheme.

They will test their reactions on a simulator provided by the British School of Motoring, be cut free from the wreckage of a car by firefighters and find out what it is like to be in a 5mph collision when they are strapped into a seat belt sled.