THE community of St Helens is about to benefit from a £4,000 grant, thanks to the National Lottery Awards For All Scheme.

St Helens Advanced Motorists have won the award and will use it to improve road safety in St Helens by offering low cost Advanced Driving Courses.

St Helens Group of Advanced Motorists is a charity run by volunteers with the sole aim of improving road safety in the area.

They do this by improving driver education and raising driving standards.

This is achieved through advanced driving courses lasting eight weeks, offered four times per year.

During the course, the normal driving standard is raised to such a level that an average driver should be able to take and pass the Institute of Advanced Motorists Driving Test.

The normal cost of the Advanced Driving Course is £75, including the Institute Of Advanced Motorists Driving Test, but now, thanks to the Awards For All Scheme, the St Helens Group can now offer the course for £20.

It is hoped that by providing the course at an affordable price, the St Helens Group of Advanced Motorists can make a positive contribution to road safety in the town - not just for drivers, but also riders and pedestrians.

St Helens Advanced Motorists meet every Sunday morning at 10.15am on Birchley Street car park and the group will be hosting an Open Day on Sunday, March 18 at Birchley Street, from 1pm until 4pm.