ROAD safety training is being given to young children across Darlington in a bid to cut the number of accidents.

The borough council's road safety team is running courses for children to teach them how to cross the road and to stay safe when out and about.

The training started this week at four schools in the borough - and youngsters at Mowden Infants School got to grips with the matter. The pupils were taken out of the classroom and shown the dangers of the road.

They were taught how to gauge the speed of traffic and work out how to cross the road in safety, taking into account a range of different factors.

Nick Wallis, council cabinet member for highways, said: "It is important that children learn road safety skills from a young age, so they do not become involved in an accident.

"These sessions will introduce children to all the different things they may come across when they are out walking, including different crossings and features like tactile pavements.

"With winter coming it is more important than ever that children appreciate the dangers of the road and learn how to keep safe, whether they are walking to school, playing with their friends or out with their parents."