A HARD-hitting mock-up of a head-on collision between two cars was staged by police to encourage people to cut their speed.

The collision resulted in "three casualties" and a "fatality", all played by trained volunteers, and was staged by Herefordshire Council's Road Safety Unit.

Representatives of the emergency services showed how they would deal with the situation in front a crowd that gathered in Hereford's High Town.

The demonstration included a running commentary on all the action including firefighters cutting a victim out of a badly damaged car, and paramedics resuscitating casualties.

"We accept that this demonstration is hard-hitting and could be upsetting to some people. However it is reality and collisions like this continue to occur on Herefordshire roads," said Bob Rooke chairman of the community safety partnership.

The demonstration began at 12pm yesterday.