FANS of hit gameshow Catchphrase will remember former host Roy Walker's instruction to contestants - 'say what you see'.

It was one I was reminded of constantly while on my second observed drive on Wirral Advanced Motorists' Skill For Life course.

During an hour's drive around the highways and backroads of Prenton and Heswall, I was advised by my driver observer to point out loud any road signs that I passed.

The aim is to ensure that I was aware of the signs and what they meant.

By the end, I was impressed with how much I had actually remembered from trawling the Highway Code.

But it wasn't all about reading signs.

There was an attempt to reverse from a main road in Heswall into a badly paved side road, finishing six inches from the pavement.

Needed a bit of work, and earned me a grade C from driver observer Phil Corker, so we'll give it another go in a couple of weeks.

I passed my driving test on January 26, 2005.

But, as with everything there is always room to polish up your skills. My time to brush up on road skills was now.

So, I decided to enrol on an advanced driving course with Wirral Advanced Motorists and had my third observed drive this week.

The aim of Skill for Life is to make drivers more observant and aware of how other people drive.

During the course I am being observed by Phil Corker, a member of Wirral IAM, who has been in the business of helping people improve their skills behind the wheel.

After a half hour drive around Bebington and Prenton, it was then time for my feedback from Phil.

I was marked 'A' for things such as land discipline, observation at junctions, roundabouts, overtaking, clutch control, braking, 'vehicle and passenger sympathy' - ie, considering the passenger.

Areas needing improvement are my deportment at the wheel, gear changing and use of gears, which were all graded 'B'.

But this was only the third observed drive. There are 10 to go.

Observed drive three is next Wednesday. So I will update you on my progress up to my test day.

The IAM says drivers of all ages, from 17 upwards, can take the advanced driving test.

Full details on the course are from www.wirraliam.co.uk