SCHOOLCHILDREN in York and North Yorkshire have the chance to write a radio advertisement which will be broadcast across the county.

The 95 Alive and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership is running two competitions to promote a major new road safety campaign.

As well as the competition for students aged 11 to 16, older students will have the chance to produce radio ads of different lengths for the same campaign.

Coun John Fort, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for road safety, said: “This is a great opportunity for young people to get involved and help to improve the safety of our roads.

“We hope that the adverts, along with the other materials we are producing, will have a positive effect in further reducing the numbers of people killed and seriously injured on our roads from a number that is already at its lowest for 20 years.”

The competition for younger students sets competitors the task of masterminding a 30-second script which tackles one of 95 Alive’s key campaign areas, which are in-car distraction, seat belt use, drink or drug-driving, speeding and safe driving.

Four entrants will be shortlisted and will get the chance to travel to TFM Radio’s studios where they will record their advert with TFM’s professional production team.

The radio station’s listeners, along with visitors to the partnership’s Roadwise website, will then vote for the winning advert, which will be aired for a two-week period on radio stations across North Yorkshire.

College and university students will produce a 20, 30 or 40-second radio advertisement. The winning advert will be aired throughout 2010 to coincide with 95 Alive’s road safety campaigns.

Packs containing details of the competitions are being sent to head teachers and principals, heads of drama and media studies and heads of sixth form at schools and colleges across North Yorkshire, as well as local universities.

Details can also be obtained on the Roadwise website at roadwise.co.uk/competition or by phoning Hayley Stewart on 01287 610404.