Mr. Wallis (left) and Mr Naden check one of the "routes" before installing it in the simulator. Miniature trees, telegraph poles and road signs come to life size on the screen - and can be knocked down!

It was definitely an experience - I "drove" a car over two miles recently, negotiating all types of junctions and hazards, without moving an inch, writes Bert Bolton our motoring correspondent. It was all done from the safety of a car simulator, the first of its kind in the area, at a new driver training centre now established in Coal Clough Lane, Burnley. The simulator has been developed by the technicians who created the Link Trainer - the machine which has helped so many pilots find their wings. Now the car simulator will do the same thing for learner drivers. It will get learners over the first difficult hurdle, learning how to control a vehicle, while avoiding the hazards of negotiating the open road. The principals of the centre are Mr W. Wallis, a member of the Institute of Advanced Motoring and Mr G. Naden. In the interests of road safety and ease of learning, all beginners will receive their first practical training on the simulator. The centre has been approved by the Board of Trade.