MORE than half the region's parents risk their children's lives by throwing away protective car seats too soon, according to research.

A Department for Transport advertising campaign is urging parents to use car seats or boosters until youngsters are at least 11 years old.

A survey for the Think! campaign showed that 56 per cent of families in the North stopped using child seats when they were as young as six, with one in ten stopping by the time their child was three.

David Jamieson, road safety minister, said yesterday: "Child restraints play a very important part in keeping children safe. It is vital that they are fitted correctly and that they continue to be used as long as necessary."

Marianne Le Claire, head of child safety research at the Transport Research Laboratory, said: "Children travelling in cars need to be in a purpose-built child car seat or booster until they are either 11 years old or 150cm tall.

"Adult seats will not fit them properly and will put them at higher risk of injury, in particular to the chest, lungs, abdomen and spine."

In 2002, 35 children under 11 were killed and 480 seriously injured travelling on Britain's roads.

By May 2006, all children under 11 in EU countries will be required to use restraints in most vehicles.