CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service cadets have won a national road safety award as part of a campaign to save lives.

The teenagers, from Runcorn, Congleton and Sandbach, researched, scripted and produced three films to highlight the dangers of speeding.

The 2young2die awards encourage young people to get creative and promote life saving road safety messages as one in four serious road crashes involves victims aged 15-25.

The Runcorn cadets directed, starred and produced a film after the death of 16-year-old Congleton fire cadet Hayley Bates in a road crash in September 2010.

Their three minute film, ‘Had a drink? Think don’t drive’, depicting a road traffic collision involving young people, was shown as a trailer before all showings of films rated 15 or over at Runcorn Cineworld Runcorn crew manager Phil Bishop said: “The cadets worked really hard on producing the film and were thrilled to see it on the big screen.

“If by showing this film it stops more young people from being seriously injured or killed behind the wheel of a car then the cadets’ hard work and determination will have paid off.”

Cineworld general manager Paul O’Prey said: “Cineworld was happy to be able to assist Cheshire Fire Cadets in delivering this important road safety message to the local community.”

Paul Hancock, Cheshire’s chief fire officer, said:”I am thrilled that our cadets have won this fantastic award for a project I know they are passionate about.I am sure it will play a key role in helping us to educate young drivers in a bid to keep them safe on our roads.

“Road crashes are the biggest cause of death among young people so raising awareness of road safety is vital.”