FIRE crews hope to shock young drivers into taking care on the roads with a hard-hitting mock-up of a crash scene.

Bay firefighters will take their Car'n'age roadshow to Herne Bay High School next month to show pupils the shocking aftermath of a crash.

The event will show how the emergency services deal with a serious accident, including cutting out mock casualties from crashed vehicles. Experts will be on hand to explain all the procedures.

Herne Bay watch manager Leon Dyball said: "By holding this event, we aim to reach as many newly-qualified and inexperienced drivers as we can.

"Our aim is to educate them on the sobering realities of being involved in a road traffic collision and it is hoped that they will make road safety a priority.

"If just one life is saved by holding this event, it will be worthwhile."

They hope to remind the teenagers about the importance of wearing seatbelts, the dangers of driving while drunk or on drugs and the consequences of speeding.

Youngsters will also be told that using a mobile phone while driving puts them at risk of crashing.

Bay firefighter David Franks demonstrated some of the equipment to the Times, including a saw for slicing windscreens open, pedal cutters, hydraulic pumps and the "jaws of life", used to force open crushed doors on crashed cars.

He said: "Hopefully this will be particularly timely given the treacherous conditions on the roads this week."