DAVID CAMERON has backed The Press's campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of joyriding.

The Conservative leader praised our Live Now, Drive Later initiative, which seeks to stop under-age youngsters getting behind the wheel of a car.

He said: "I applaud the campaign. Joyriding should not be called joyriding. It can be death-riding, and the more we can explain to people about the dangers of it the better."

The Press launched the campaign following the inquest into 15-year-olds Joel Corner and Daniel Wright, and van driver Peter Alexander.

Last April 20, Joel took his father's Audi A4 and drove round York before losing control in Stockton Lane and crashing into Mr Alexander's van. Joel, his front-seat passenger Daniel, and Mr Alexander all died instantly.

The campaign aims to produce a hard- hitting video for schools in our area.

Speaking on a visit to York yesterday, Mr Cameron said: "The video initiative is a very good idea, because some people just do not have a proper idea of how dangerous this can be. I applaud your efforts. The Live Now, Drive Later message is right."

Mr Cameron also spoke about job losses and ward closures at York Hospital.

He said: "No one wants to see cutbacks, but obviously they are doing what they are doing to balance the books, and it would not be right for me to tell them what to do to do that. What is right for me is to try to sort out the NHS nationally."

After helping launch York Conservatives' local election manifesto at the Royal York Hotel, Mr Cameron and local party members visited a BMX track in Earswick, where he chatted with youngsters about facilities in the area.

He described the track as "very impressive", and said: "We have seen a very good example of local councillors working with communities to get a project together that gives people something to do and keeps them out of trouble."

The BMX track was provided through Earswick Parish Council, at the request of local youngsters.

The youths designed it themselves, and one of their fathers dug it out.

Janet Jenkin, parish council chairman, said: "We have encouraged and developed, particularly with a view to the youth. We have listened to the youngsters."

Asked about the possibility of North Yorkshire's district councils being scrapped in favour of one wider unitary authority, Mr Cameron said: "I do not think we need to have a lot of upheaval."

He said the Tories nationally were opposed to the proposed reforms, but said individual councils had to take their own view on the matter.

Mr Cameron also commented on the Ministry of Defence's decision to allow the 15 Iran hostages to sell the stories of their ordeal.

He said Downing Street was in a state of "complete confusion" and added: "To me, what matters for the Defence Secretary Des Browne is that he has to pass two tests. He has to show he still has the confidence of members of our Armed Services, who are working so hard for our country; and he has to give a full account of himself to the House of Commons on Monday."