ART students are getting the message across to other youngsters that drinking and driving is not cool.

Young people and those who have just thrown away their L-plates are the target of a campaign designed by New College students.

Hreod Parkway School and the college have both won national Prince Michael Road Safety Awards for projects.

A commendation has been awarded to pupils at Hreod Parkway School who researched and produced a road safety awareness video to be used in educating year 6, 7 and 8 students.

The Art and Design department at Swindon New College received a commend-ation for designing a Drinking and Driving campaign.

A resource pack that the department has produced is attracting interest from several organisations and Swindon Council will be using posters from the pack for the winter drink/drive campaign.

The council's Road Safety Manager, Margaret Tester nominated the two projects for the awards and is delighted that they have been recognised.

She said: "The quality of these projects was outstand-ing."

and it was a real pleasure to be involved with such enthusiastic individuals. Hreod Parkway and Swindon New College fully deserve these commendations and are an example to us all."

Acting Leader of the Council Ian Dobie is full of admiration for the two successful groups; "Getting young people actively involved in promoting road safety is absolutely vital. Advice from one's own peer group can often carry more weight than traditional methods, which is why I think the Hreod Parkway project stands out. And the New College campaign is thoroughly researched and an innovative approach to a very serious issue. "

The Mayor of Swindon, Cllr Derek Benfield will meet representatives from the two successful groups in his parlour on Monday to congratulate them on their awards.