A THEATRE company is driving home a road safety message to pupils across the Fylde.

The Theatre In Education tour was launched by the Road Safety Group of Lancashire County Council last year after 153 people between 16 and 19 were killed or seriously injured on the county's roads.

And due to its popularity the county council have enlisted the help of the Ape Theatre Company for this year's tour to local schools and colleges with their production, Legal Weapon.

Baines School got the very first showing on Monday (September 27) from the travelling actors who will be touring until October 22.

In addition Fleetwood High School got a taste of the production on Wednesday, while pupils from King Edward and Queen Mary VI and Lytham St Annes sixth form colleges will see the production on October 7 and 8.

Legal Weapon blends sport, gambling and violence with speeding and driver attitudes using live sound effects to whisk the action along.

Written by Mark Wheeler, Legal Weapon tells the fictional story of a sixth form couple and how their relationship is affected by a sizeable inheritance spent on a performance car.

Co-ordinator of general studies at Baines School, Jenny Phillips, said: "The play was really very impressive. All the children and myself were gripped by the production.

"I hope it makes our children, many of whom are coming up to the age where they will be passing their driving tests, sit up and take note to drive with care.

"Many of today's children have become so used to the television that often something different like this can only help."

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