A VIDEO illustrating the dangers of drinking and driving to Winsford and Middlewich youngsters has become an award-winning production.

It has been highly commended by the Prince Michael Road Safety Awards Scheme.

Three separate versions of Taking the Risk were created by Cheshire County Council's road safety unit to appeal to the under 25 age group - a documentary, a news story and a pop music video.

"The award is wonderful news," said Cty Clr Colin Bain.

"The original footage, which oversees the work of the road safety unit, was used in the north west launch of the 1998 Christmas Drink Drive Campaign and from there the concept was developed further to maximise its potential.

"At the beginning it showed how volunteers found their abilities to drive had become seriously affected by even the small amount of alcohol they had to drink.

"That received extensive coverage and the decision was taken to develop a storyline which involved a typical young persons night."

The video is provided free of charge to schools and organisations in Cheshire.

Cheshire Police, South Cheshire Health Authority and Vauxhall Motors worked with the road safety unit to create the video.

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