PUPILS at every primary school in Hartlepool will be given training to keep them safe on the roads.

Officials from Hartlepool Borough Council are to extend their pedestrian training programme to take in all of the town's 31 primary schools.

Previously the scheme, funded by Hartlepool Health Action Zone (Haz), has covered only 15 schools.

The Haz funding is about to end but the council has decided to continue the scheme and expand it.

Paul Watson, the council's road safety officer, said: "We would like to thank Haz for their support over the past three years. The scheme has proved very successful and we felt it simply had to continue.

"We are also keen to see more youngsters benefit and that is why we are proposing to fund an expansion of the scheme to cover every primary school."

The training is provided by a team of in-house instructors and covers either three afternoons or mornings over a three-week period. It involves curriculum-linked classroom work and practical sessions out on the streets.

Mr Watson said: "There has been a significant reduction in casualties on Hartlepool's roads in recent years and these safety initiatives are important if we are to maintain that trend."

Due to the scheme's expansion, the council's road safety unit is looking to recruit additional instructors.

Anyone who is interested is asked to contact Mr Watson on (01429) 523590. Schools wanting more details on road safety or cycle proficiency should contact Mr Watson on the same number