YOUNG Hereford-based apprentices have learned about road safety from an award winning group.

More than 50 apprentices from Special Metals Wiggin saw a hard-hitting presentation about the consequences of poor driving from a road safety group which has started to expand into Herefordshire.

The apprentices saw a presentation from Time and Place, which was set up in the Forest of Dean, to spread the word about the dangers of driving to young people.

The group recently received Prince Michael's international road safety award at the end of last year in acknowledgment of its emotionally challenging presentations.Before the presentation, group founder Jimmy Martin told the apprentices if anyone found it too much could leave the room at anytime.

There were no takers but a number of young men were noticeably moved by what they heard.

"It's all about getting through to youngsters and showing them what can happen. We are just trying to tell them the truth about what happens," said Mr Martin.

The apprentices heard from two mothers who had lost children in road accidents.

And Jan Wildman, a road safety officer from Gloucestershire, gave the group some home truths about driving.

"There's no such thing as an accident," she said. "There is always someone or something that causes it to happen."

She told the audience that the four main reasons for someone dying on the roads were drink driving, speeding, distractions, and failure to wear a seat belt.

Her advice included: Watch what you're drinking if you're driving - it's difficult to work out how much you've had.

If the car in front of you is speeding you don't have to follow suit.

l Don't leave loose items in the back of your car - they will hit you hard if you stop suddenly.

Talking to someone on a hands-free mobile phone is more dangerous than chatting to someone in your car.

If you are in a car with a fast driver tell them to slow down - get out of the car if they don't.

She asked the apprentices to think hard about the consequences should they be involved in an accident.

She said fatal car accidents had a ripple effect which would hit their family first and then their friends.

The ripple then hits the other driver and their family and friends, before it gets to the emergency services who deal with the accident.

Rob Shiels, personnel and training officer at Special Metals Wiggin, said: "We looked at what we already do and we recognise we have a wider duty to our apprentices.

"We decided it was a worthwhile venture because there is a need for us to support these young people."

Ome of the anonymous comments left by the apprentices after the presentation was: "It was amazing - it was so hard not to cry".

And another wrote: "I will stick to speed limit from now on after watching presentation."

Any schools or groups interested in contacting Time and Place about its services can ring Heather on 01432 820573.

More information is available on www.timeandplace.co.uk In this week's Hereford Times, there are 10 high visibility family clothing kits, worth around £40 each, to be won. Full details are included in the Sheppards Stores and Hereford Times Safer Driving Campaign competition.