Pupils create a drama on the buses

Manchester City Council is looking for budding young writers to pen a script for a DVD spelling out how to behave on public transport.

Pupils in eighteen high schools across south Manchester are being invited to enter the script writing competition. The winning scripts will be used in an educational DVD about behaviour on the buses and personal safety. Youngsters are being asked to submit scripts on ticket fraud and fare dodging,  throwing objects out of the top window of the bus, setting fire to newspapers and bullying on public transport. They'll also be asked to look at issues around personal safety including keeping valuable personal possessions out of sight.

A representative from Manchester City Council's Crime and Disorder Team and a professional film and video producer will judge the scripts. The judges will pick two scripts from each of the topics and the twenty winning students will then have the chance to take part in the DVD, which will be sent to all schools across Manchester as an educational resource. The aim of the DVD is to make pupils more aware of how important their behaviour and safety is on public transport and the final DVD will be helpful for teachers to use in classes such as English, Drama or Citizenship.

Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Nigel Murphy said: "This is an excellent opportunity for youngsters to be involved in the whole process of making a DVD. Most young people do behave well when using public transport but the DVD will act as a reminder of how important it is to consider others and take measures to keep yourself safe."