Actors have been staging a winter road safety campaign touring 16 schools in London’s East End to get the message across about devastating effects accidents have on families.

The Half Moon theatre company in Limehouse toured with the play More Important Things, the title refering to the impact of serious injury and death on the roads.

“Road accidents can have a devastating effect on the lives of young people and their families,” Half Moon’s director Chris Elwell said. “It was important to work with Tower Hamlets council’s road safety team on a project addressing this issue.”

Performances were followed by drama workshops where pupils explored alternative endings to the play, to reinforce the message about road safety.

The play was seen by 2,200 pupils on its tour of Our Lady’s & St Joseph’s, Manorfield, Old Palace, Old Ford, Malmesbury, William Davis, Cayley, St Paul’s Whitechapel, Guardian Angels, Al Mizan, Harry Gosling, Columbia, Arnhem Wharf, Virginia, Kobi Nazrul and Blue Gate Fields.

It was developed with Year 7 classes at Bethnal Green Academy to ensure the voices and real experiences of youngsters were reflected on stage.