YOUNGSTERS in Derwentside have been learning how to stay safe while walking to school.

Forty-five reception and nursery children from 15 schools in the Stanley area met larger than life cartoon character Safety Sam.

He made his first visit to the town yesterday to launch a road safety awareness campaign where children were kitted out with reflective and fluorescent waistcoats. The campaign has been funded by SureStart Stanley, Derwentside Primary Care Trust and Durham County Council.

Jaime Battye, health promotion specialist with SureStart Stanley, said: "We thought it would be a good idea to use Safety Sam to promote the campaign as he is a cartoon character, who is a familiar figure among schoolchildren in the county. We have invested in a specially-designed Sam costume because of his popularity so that he can make personal appearances.

"Sam also promotes School Travel Plans, which encourages people to choose more sustainable means of transport."

In 2003, 14 children aged under seven were injured on the roads in the Derwentside area.

The safety message has also been taken to pensioners. Road safety officers have been helping elderly people to be more visible by producing SeeMe bags, which have a reflective strip.

Age Concern has distributed 5,000 bags.