CHILDREN have been stars in raising cash to help stay safe.

The pupils at Redcar's Lakes Primary School organised a talent show to bring in funds to buy a cycle store, so their bikes can be kept secure at school.

The school has also obtained grants to help finance a cycle area in the school grounds, as well as a £5,430 Government grant to help buy the bicycle shed.

The schoolchildren have always wanted to be able to cycle to school, and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council officials helped them draw up a school travel plan with safe routes.

Playground cycle training and more advanced on-road training is being organised.

Teacher Caroline Haley, who co-ordinated the children's work, said: "We are really pleased that we're close to achieving what the children have wanted for a long time, the chance to cycle safely to school.

"Now the children are really enthusiastic about learning all about how to use the routes we've chosen and, of course, most importantly, how to cycle safely."

Councillor Eric Empson, the council's cabinet member for strategic planning, development and infrastructure, said: "The efforts of everyone at Lakes Primary are a great example of how the travel plan works, both in planning and delivery.

"We've now got 26 schools with travel plans - that's 50 per cent of our schools - and we're well on target to achieve the Government requirement of 90 per cent by 2010."