A TEENAGER has won a set of driving lessons as part of the anniversary celebrations of the emergency services' road safety course.

To mark 15 years of the 'Think Drive Survive' course leaders from Cheshire Police, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and Highways England got together with more than 20 young people from the Northwich, Crewe and Runcorn areas.

Patrick Roberts, 17, from Northwich was named the 20,000th student to complete the hard-hitting programme and was awarded BSM driving lessons.

'Think Drive Survive' was launched by police officer Martin Clarke in March 2000 to help reduce the number of serious and fatal collisions in Cheshire involving young people.

The course is free and open to anyone between the ages of 16 and 25.

It has been recognised as an effective way of educating young road users and the fire service has been invited to speak to ministers at Westminster twice, It has also been awarded a Prince Michael of Kent International Road Safety award for its achievements.

Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock said: "Through initiatives like this we have continued to drive down the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads and provided a strong base for other joint work.

"We want young drivers and pre-drivers to take a hard look at their behaviour on the roads, and improve it.

"The Think Drive Survive course helps to demonstrate to young people just why playing their part in road safety is so crucial."

Cheshire Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: “It is rewarding to see that 20,000 young people from across Cheshire have now completed this unique training course, helping to improve road safety and save young lives in our county."

Courses are regularly held at the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service headquarters, in Winsford, including June 30, July 8 and July 13.

For more information or to book email peter.shields@cheshirefire.gov.uk.