Boy racers have been a problem in Aberystwyth for some time

Police and fire chiefs have joined forces to educate 17-25-year-olds about the dangers of bad driving.

In the county, 18 people have been prosecuted under new legislation which allow police to confiscate reoffenders' vehicles, and all were invited to the course launch.

Although only one invited to Aberystwyth fire station turned up, fire chiefs defended the idea.

I think the course is valuable and will hopefully prove successful Ceredigion councillor Paul James

Roger Bennett, Ceredigion commander for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "If we save one life as a result of Saturday's road traffic collision reduction course, then it would have been a success.

"We knew how many people would be attending the course before we held it, but we still went ahead because it was an opportunity for us and the person attending to learn."

The course, which will run each month in Lampeter, Cardigan and Aberystwyth, is also targeting motorists who have just passed their driving tests.

At Saturday's launch, driver awareness, first aid and crash statistics were all addressed, along with a video of the damage caused by driving dangerously.

Ceredigion councillor Paul James, who attended, said: "The video shown was hard-hitting and very graphic. The whole course was quite an eye-opener.

"I think the course is valuable and will hopefully prove successful."

Boy racers have caused problems for police in Aberystwyth for some time.