A free Friday and Saturday night bus service for clubbers and pub goers in Haywards Heath will be run in a scheme being promoted by West Sussex County Council Fire and Rescue Service during December.

The service - which will operate between 11pm and 1am for four weekends from this Friday (December 2) - is part of a three-pronged drive to reduce Christmas road deaths and casualties in Mid Sussex.

Richard Bond , Fire Service District Commander for Mid Sussex, said: "This service is not intended to remove an individuals need to act responsibly, more to provide a 'safety net' for people who may find themselves being tempted to drink and drive.

"If the service is successful and helps to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on the roads of Mid Sussex, we will look towards extending the service to other towns in the area next year."

The safety drive is being staged by the Fire and Rescue Service in partnership with the County Council's Road Safety Department , Mid Sussex District Council , Sussex Police and a local licensee.

It will also include:

• A static display of a crashed car on the roundabout on the A272 at Bolnore Village.
• A beer mat and poster campaign.

"The aim of the roundabout display is to heighten awareness," said Richard, "but we have good evidence that a significant number of road crashes involve alcohol."

"Because of this, we have enlisted the help of Harveys Brewery who will be distributing beer mats and posters to all of their licensed premises in Mid Sussex. We will also be distributing posters to all of the remaining licensed premises in Mid Sussex," said Richard.

Lionel Barnard , County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: "Our firefighters know all too well the tragic consequences that can result from drinking and driving.

"We have already seen a reduction in the number of road casualties during 2005 and I'm confident this first class partnership initiative will enable us to continue this good work and reduce deaths and serious injuries still further."

Notes for Editors:-

Twenty-five black balloons - one for every person who has been killed on the roads in Mid Sussex over the last three years - and 184 red balloons - one for every person who has been seriously injured - will be released at Haywards Heath Fire Station, Mill Green Road, at noon on Friday, December 2 to mark the launch of the service and the road safety campaign. You, or your representative, plus a photographer/camera crew, are invited to the launch, which will also include a short presentation about the campaign by District Commander Richard Bond.