SALE High School proved they were miles ahead of the competition today as they picked up an award for a hard-hitting antisocial behaviour advert.

Three schools from across Greater Manchester were presented with prizes for producing radio and TV commercials tackling antisocial behaviour and fare-dodging on Metrolink.

Sale High School Year 8 pupils created a 60 second ‘Best Radio’ commercial, which will now be produced professionally and used by TfGM in a marketing campaign.

Winning pupils have all received a day’s free Metrolink travel to HOME, with free cinema tickets for a film screening of family classic The Iron Giant and restaurant vouchers for a meal at HOME after the film.

Charlotte Hulton, school development officer at Sale High School, said: “This was a fantastic project for our children to get involved in. They all use the Metro and so were full of ideas. Thank you to Metrolink and HOME for this wonderful opportunity.”

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) invited schools to produce the commercials as part of an engagement programme (aimed at years five to nine pupils aged between nine and 14 years old) focusing on the impact of fare evasion and vandalism, crime and antisocial behaviour on Metrolink.

Stephen Rhodes, TfGM’s customer operations director, handed out prizes at the awards ceremony in cinema 2 at HOME on Wednesday July 13.

He said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part in this competition. It’s clear a lot of thought has gone into the commercials, which looked and sounded great.

“The competition has helped drive a serious message home in a fun way, making school children across Greater Manchester aware at a young age of the serious repercussions of foolish behaviour for themselves and other people.”

Digital engagement agency Ucreate supported the schools with a specially created online tool kit and sessions to help teach schoolchildren how to create their audio or visual commercial and promote it on social media.

Antisocial behaviour can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and Criminal Behaviour Order, which restrict the offender’s movements and who they can spend time with, while young fare-dodgers risk £100 and court proceedings.

The Greater Manchester Travelsafe Unit (TSU) has had a significant impact in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour across the region’s transport networks since it launched, through high visibility patrolling and intelligence-led operations.