YOUNGSTERS at a Southampton school are to be let loose behind the wheel of a car as part of a crackdown on dangerous driving.

The teenagers at Millbrook Community School are to take part in the initiative next week.

As part of the scheme the 15 and 16 year old pupils are to get behind the wheel in the safety of the school tennis courts next Wednesday.

Called Road Runners, the course, is run by the school and the youth charity Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Options with involvement from the police and driving instructors.

Organised and funded by the Outer Shirley Regeneration programme, the course aims to make the pupils more aware of road safety and driver education.

The programme's Marie Draper said: "This is just one of the ways the regeneration funding is benefiting young people in the area.

"A large element of the regeneration programme is about improving services and facilities for children and young people, and I hope the driving sessions will prove popular and great fun as well as promoting responsible car ownership."

Millbrook School's deputy head Naomi Harrison said pupils loved it.

She said: "Our students want to become safe drivers.

"They understand that owning and using a car is a huge responsibility and take this opportunity very seriously whilst enjoying this hands-on way of learning."

The driving project is part of a three-year programme of youth activities for eight to 21-year-olds being funded by a regeneration grant of £114,888.

As well as the driving programme, the range of activities includes drugs education, residential adventure activity courses, sports, summer activities and a project addressing street crime.