SCHOOLchildren got the chance to dress up as police officers as part of a road safety initiative last week.

Members of Thirsk's neighbourhood policing team called into Sowerby CP School to drive home the message of national road safety week.

They explained the need to always wear car seatbelts, no matter how short the journey, and the benefits of wearing reflective clothing.

Each youngster was given a reflective orange wristband supplied by Hambleton Community Safety Partnership, and the youngsters were allowed to don junior police uniforms to try their hands at being police officers.

Headteacher Jean Yendall said: "We were delighted to work with the police on this very important road safety initiative.

"Together with other road safety work undertaken in school, we hope the visit will help the children become more aware and responsible as they start and finish school, especially as the dark nights make it even harder for them to see and be seen.