HUNDREDS of youngsters have attempted to set a new world record when they joined together to try and persuade drivers to curb their speeding.

Children from Brambles Farm Primary School, in Middlesbrough, took part in the walking bus initiative, organised by road safety charity Brake.

More than 120 youngsters from the school joined forces with an estimated 150,000 other pupils across the country to help raise awareness of the number of children killed or hurt by fast moving vehicles.

Teacher Debbie Wheeldon said: "We decided to support the campaign because it is really important to that the children learn basic road safety.

"It is a case of making them aware of the dangers and reinforcing the lessons they are learning at home."

Figures released by the Department for Transport show that 1,944 child pedestrians under the age of 16 were killed or seriously injured on UK roads in 2007.

Mary Williams, chief executive of Brake, said: "By now, there can be no driver in the UK who doesnt know that the faster you drive, the less time you have to react, the harder you hit, and the more likely it is that a child will die or be maimed for life.

"Through this event we are urging drivers to take time out to think of these children and to make a commitment to always drive at 20mph or lower around schools and communities. You never know when a child might make a mistake and run out; your slower driving could save their life."