Children are given driving lessons

The 15-year-old children are warned of dangers on the road

Schoolchildren are to be given driving lessons at the age of 15.

The scheme, at Hreod Parkway school in Swindon, Wiltshire, will try to reduce the problem of teenage motorists dying in car accidents.

The off-road lessons on the school's grounds will attempt to warn them of the dangers of the road before they are allowed to drive on it.

BSM instructor Tony Oliver, whose teenage cousin was killed in a car crash, will lead the classes.

"His brother was driving the car, and didn't know how to negotiate the bend properly, and hit a tree," said Mr Oliver.

Head teacher Tom Wilkes added that he wanted to stop children attempting to drive without taking formal lessons.

"There are situations where we would be concerned about what they are learning and where they are learning it."

During the classes they are taught basic driving, how to complete three-point turns and emergency stops.