POLICE on the outskirts of Bolton have welcomed plans to issue more than 200 rural primary school pupils with reflective road safety stickers -- to protect them during the dark nights.

Pupils at schools across Edgworth and Chapeltown are to be given teddy-bear shaped stickers to attach to their coats, bags or clothing.

Police hope the safety scheme will enable motorists to spot children walking to school in the mornings and returning home at night much more easily, especially on smaller country roads.

North Turton and Tockholes Cllr Colin Rigby said: "It is a sensible, inexpensive safety precaution and its benefits are invaluable. Children's lives could be saved."

Edgworth councillor David Smith added: "It is a great idea and we are all for it. The safety of our children has to be a priority."

The idea was the brainchild of Chapeltown's area police officer PC Jim Wood. He said the safety of schoolchildren in rural Bolton is paramount. PC Wood said: "The aim of the scheme is to promote road safety across the area and increase the visibility of school children for motorists and other road users. It is a great scheme.

"We have got a couple of main roads but there are also lots of other smaller country roads which tend to be a bit darker so this is something that people can pick up one" The privately-funded scheme, expected to cost around £100, is due to be launched in the Autumn. The plans have received the backing of North Turton Parish Council.

Other primary schools in Bolton have run similar initiatives.