A TEAM of Southampton firefighters have started up a motorcycle club in a bid to boost safety on an estate where two teenage boys died riding a moped.

Jamie Gosney, 15, and Lewis Grundy, 17, died instantly when the moped they were riding collided with a car in Brownhill Way, Lordshill two months ago.

This week, firefighters at Redbridge station launched their new drive to cut accidents and improve relationships with youngsters in the area.

Project leader Tom Jones said: "This is a way of engaging with young people in doing something they enjoy.

"We are not denying them their love of bikes, we are simply working with them to develop their knowledge and teach them how to ride safely in a controlled environment, which should benefit everyone in the community."

A disused smoke chamber at the Irving Road fire station in Millbrook has been converted into a fully-equipped motorcycle workshop.

Groups of 13- to 19-year-olds will spend one evening a week working there on motorcycles donated by Oakmount Recovery.

A fully-trained Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service technician will be on hand to give out advice, along with a retired mechanic and other fire

officers. Project bosses are also trying to set up safe off-road riding trips with police motorcycle enthusiasts, with plans to donate the refurbished motorbikes to Third World charities.

ADT motorcycle training company has even agreed to provide two training courses at the end of the firefighters' mechanics course.

The project - a collaboration between the fire service, Southampton West Neighbourhood Partnership, Outer Shirley Regeneration, the police, community workers and volunteers - was welcomed by PC Paul Martin, a friend of Jamie's who spoke at his funeral.

"If anything positive can come out of Jamie's death, that's a good thing," he said.