Hertfordshire County Council has welcomed a national safety initiative to give every primary school pupil in Britain a reflector to wear.

The reflectors are being distributed by the Nationwide Building Society, under its Cats Eyes for Kids campaign, and wearing them makes children visible from five times the distance, in the dark.

According to the county council, 99 children were injured while walking or cycling in Hertfordshire last year.

The council is also supporting the launch of a Government website, www.hedgegogs.gov.uk, which gives children advice on how to cross roads safely.

Wendy Broome, head of the council's road safety unit, said: "Road accidents involving children are still too high, with most accidents happening close to home and on residential roads.

"However, national initiatives like these help to increase children's awareness and understanding of the importance of safety, and we plan to give them our full support on a local level."

November 7, 2001 14:16