ROAD safety experts are trying to reduce the number of serious accidents involving pensioners out shopping.

High visibility bags have been given out on Teesside to make drivers more aware of elderly pedestrians.

Middlesbrough Council's road safety team launched the See Me bags as part of Age Concern's Day of Celebration yesterday.

The 200 shopping bags, which have a reflective strip to make them more visible on dark winter days, were given away through the charity and Middlesbrough Older People's Partnership.

Local councillor Ron Lowes said: "It's very easy for pedestrians to become almost invisible to other road users at this time of year and I urge everyone to take extra care.

"It is vital for all road users to be seen and to be able to see others.

"Something as simple as the reflective strip on these shopping bags could really mean the difference between life and death."

Last year in Middlesbrough, 11 pedestrians over the age of 60 were involved in road accidents. Three were fatal, one was serious and seven caused slight injuries.

The scheme has also been introduced in Hartlepool, where the council has handed out 500 reflective bags to pensioners.