CHILDREN as young as 10 have been behind the wheel in the first driver training course of its kind in north Cumbria.

Young Driver, which teachers those between 10 to 17-year-old, held its opening event at Carlisle Racecourse at the weekend.

Part of the course complex was transformed into a realistic road system for the lessons, featuring traffic signs, roundabouts and junctions.

Attendees from across Cumbria took part, including Mia Barry, 10, from Carlisle and Matthew McClean, 11, of Whitehaven.

The pair both had the chance to sit in the driving seat of a dual-controlled Vauxhall Corsa, and take it for a short spin round the track on Saturday.

Mike Barry, Mia’s dad, shared how the lesson went.

He told the News & Star: “She absolutely loved the hour-long lesson, and wants to go again.

“Mia got to do a few manoeuvres, and learn more about how to drive a car safely.

“I only noticed the lessons online as I work away, and booked them as an activity to do when I’m back home.

“It’s a great initiative, and should hopefully make the roads safer.”

The courses were launched to combat the high number of crashes and incidents on roads across the country.

According to Young Driver, about 400 people are killed in accidents involving young drivers each year in the UK.

One in five newly qualified motorists crash within six months of their test.

For 17-year-old males, that figure rises to 40 per cent.

Sue Waterfield, head of marketing at Young Driver, added: “Clearly something needs to be done to tackle the seriously high accident rates of our young drivers, as almost 1,300 17 to 24-year-olds are killed or seriously injured in road accidents each year.

“Research shows training drivers over a longer period of time and catching youngsters when their attitudes towards driving are still developing is key to producing a safer driver.

“It allows youngsters to have a solid understanding of how to drive a car before they get anywhere near a real road, meaning when they learn at 17 they can focus more on other road users and potential hazards.”

Further courses will be held in Carlisle next month, and in October and November.