Free lessons For Asians Only

A race row broke out yesterday after a Labour council ran free driving lessons for Asians only.

The scheme was aimed at 15 to 19-year-olds 'from the Asian heritage community' after a local survey showed they were three times more likely to be injured in crashes.

Teenagers aged 17 to 19 got free driving lessons costing £22 an hour in the ward of Bastwell, in Blackburn, Lancs.

Fifteen and 16-year-olds had lessons in a car simulator and were warned of the dangers of drink-driving and joyriding.

Blackburn-with-Darwen Council extended the scheme to two neighbouring white wards after Conservatives branded it 'racist and sexist'.

The council insisted the schemes targeted areas with high accident levels, 'regardless of race'.