A ROAD safety scheme is in danger of failing unless more parent volunteers can be found.

The Let's Decide - Walk Wise project was set up in 1994 to give primary school children practical experience of dealing with traffic.

Operating throughout the area covered by Sunderland City Council, including Washington, Seaham, Houghton-le-Spring, and Hetton-le-Hole, it has helped more than 8,500 youngsters become safer pedestrians. The scheme, which is the only one of its kind in the country, relies on trained parent volunteers acting as chaperones.

They take children from school on to streets to teach them how to cope with traffic and identify safe places to cross and safe routes to take.

But recent months have seen fewer parents coming forward to join the scheme, posing a threat to its future.

Councillor Ian Galbraith, cabinet member for development and regeneration, said: "It would be a great shame if we were not able to continue with such a valuable scheme in the future because of a lack of volunteers."

Parents who volunteer for the scheme are asked to attend an initial training session and then help children at their child's school for about two hours a week during a six-week period.

Dave Swift, who has taken part in Walk Wise at a number of schools and is a governor at Farringdon Primary School, said: "It is a very worthwhile programme and it only takes a couple of hours a week.

"I have certainly enjoyed taking part - the kids are great and it makes you feel like you are doing something really valuable because children's safety is so important."

To join the scheme, call 0191-553 1524.