A NATIONAL road safety charity has condemned the "appalling" lack of road safety education available for youngsters in the North.

A study by Brake found that more than a quarter of pre-school children have received no road safety education, and that 57 per cent had not received practical safety education at the roadside.

In response to the findings, Brake has launched a campaign, backed by Green Flag Motoring Assistance, to tackle the problem.

Brake and Green Flag are calling on the Government to make road safety education compulsory for pre-schoolers and in schools.

There are no requirements for nurseries to teach road safety, despite the fact that traffic is the second-biggest killer of children, after cancer.

Brake chief executive Mary Williams said: "Many of the children killed and seriously injured on our roads are mown down in their own neighbourhoods by local drivers.

"These deaths cause unimaginable suffering to families and shatter communities.

"Our campaign has a dual function - to call on drivers to slow down around schools and homes and to get key safety messages to children.

"It is imperative the Government ensures all children are receiving road safety education throughout childhood by making it compulsory in nurseries and schools."

For safety advice, go to www.brake.org.uk