STUDENTS from Bridgwater College have been raising awareness of road safety at a special event.

Those enrolled on the Foundation Degree in Public Services with Outdoor Education organised the event as part of their course assessment, and raised £80 for the charity Edcase Promotions.

The event, which included lessons in basic car maintenance, attracted students aged 16 to 18 on other Public Services courses in the College.

Student Rachael Lucey, 20, from Bridgwater, who helped organise the event, said: “We wanted to do it at this time of year as more young people are getting their licences and will be out on the roads.

“We hoped to highlight the importance of them having good motor skills, their own insurance and a reminder not to use mobile phones when driving.”

Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Starfish Driving School, Somerset Road Safety, South West Go Karting, Orchard Mobility, Mill Auto Quip, the Fire Service and the College’s own Automotive Department also attended.

Edcase Promotions was set up after 22-year-old Ed Atkinson died in a car accident in 2009. His mother, Sharon Maslyn, won the Somerset Guardian’s Woman of the Year Award in 2011 for her charity work.

She said: “I was really impressed with the hard work and energy that the team put into organising this event.

“Road safety is crucial to their age group and will help save lives on the road. I thank them for their efforts.”