MILK delivery staff in Teesdale are being given an early Christmas present to keep them safe.

As part of a safety initiative, Teesdale District Council is issuing milkmen with luminous and reflective safety wear which reflects vehicle headlamp beams and which the council hopes will protect them in the dark early hours in the winter.

The initiative is being sponsored by workwear supplier ARCO and is supporting European Safety and Health Week.

Councillor Mary Mitchell said: "This is a very simple, effective and inexpensive way of improving the safety of employees at work, and even if it prevents only one accident it will have been well worthwhile."