SCHOOLS across the Hambleton area of North Yorkshire are being targeted in a major campaign to improve child safety.

Every one of the district's 60 primary schools is to be sent special resource packs by the local authority's environmental health team.

And to back up the move, a council roadshow will be visiting each of the district's five market towns over the next two weeks to drive home the importance of safe play.

This year's Child Safety Week initiative is focusing on key zones for action - be it the playground, an after-school club or in the home.

The week is being coordinated by the accident prevention groups of the Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Group.

Its main aim is to give out safety messages to those who can make a difference - parents, grandparents, carers and teachers - as well as the children themselves.

It will see the area's environmental health officers, school nurses and health visitors all working together to spread the message.

"We are focusing our campaign on anywhere a child plays - and the safety issues surrounding that area," said Hambleton's cabinet spokesman on environmental health, Councillor Ernest Phillips.

"That could be in the home or at school. The safety of our children is paramount whether they are babies, at nursery school or young adults."

As well as the council roadshow, supermarkets and fast food outlets are being used to disseminate information, while schools are being asked to display posters and send information home through their newsletters.

The roadshow itself was launched yesterday, when staff spent the morning meeting people in the centre of Stokesley.

On Monday, it will visit Thirsk, on Tuesday it will move on to Bedale, on Wednesday it will be in Northallerton and on Friday it will reach Easingwold.

In each town the roadshow will set up shop in the market place, from 10am to 1pm.