DOZENS of young schoolchildren can stay safer on the roads after 60 high visibility vests were donated by an opticians.

Specsavers in the Mill Gate centre gave away the vests as part of a joint partnership with the charity Brake.

The pupils from Heap Bridge Village Primary School, in Heap Brow, have also been learning how to stay safe on school trips and in the community.

Headteacher Marcus Cockcroft said: “These fluorescent and reflective vests are an excellent tool to keep children safe so we’re very grateful to Specsavers for working in partnership with us, and for their kind donation.

“This year we are promoting healthier lifestyle choices and as such, these vests will be given to those children choosing to ride their bike to school using our new bike shelter.

“We will also be using them in the New Year when we start up our 'walking bus' before and after school.”

The donation comes ahead of Road Safety Awareness Week, which runs from Monday (November 23) to November 29.

Claire Watters, manager of the Specsavers branch, said: "We were very impressed to find that pupils were already well-versed on their road safety. We’re determined to ensure local children are seen and safe on dark nights.”