AN author is helping to keep Middlesbrough youngsters safe and sound - with the help of a cartoon hound.

Parent Arthur Brady devised his health and safety workbooks of schools, which feature Arthur Paddington the hound and other characters, to give youngsters good advice in a fun way.

The second book in the series has been launched in Middlesbrough's primary schools, following on from his original book, which was also given to schools across the town.

Aimed at children aged up to 11, the books give advice on healthy eating, how to cope with bullying, not speaking to strangers and saying no to drugs.

Mr Brady was delighted to discover that many of the children remembered the characters from his first book.

Illustrations of the animal characters in the books - including Olly the Ostrich, Andy the Ant and Clifford the Crocodile - are by artist Angela Cook, originally from Middlesbrough but who now lives in York.

Mr Brady said: "I have been delighted by how well the books have been received and how the children appear to have taken to the characters.

"Every school we go to, the kids love it. They scream and shout and they remember the characters from the books.

"It gets a really good message across at an early age.

"I have had plenty of positive feedback from the project.

"Eventually, my aim is to roll the books out nationally and get them in schools and hospices across the country."

The project has secured a £4,600 grant from the Local Network Fund to pay for supplying the books to schools and community centres in the town.

Middlesbrough Council, the North-Eastern Co-Op and the Bakers Oven have also helped fund the project, which will be supplying teaching materials to schools in the new year.

Mr Brady said: "Already, nearly 40 schools and hundreds of children in the town have taken copies of the books, and I am hoping to expand the project in different ways. Get-well cards have been sent out to the James Cook University Hospital and children's hospice Zo's Place, where hopefully they will take off and bring some joy to the sick and poorly children."

Any school or group interested in getting involved with the project, or any company interested in sponsoring the initiative can contact Mr Brady on (01642) 813689.