THE lives of children are being put at risk because parents on school runs do not make them wear seat belts.

A survey of schools across Bolton revealed that seat belts or child restraints are worn in less than half of all cars on morning school runs. At one school, almost 90 per cent of parents had not strapped in their child.

The worrying figures have been released as a Greater Manchester-wide campaign was launched in Bolton today aimed at making sure children are belted up even on short journeys.

Road safety officer Trevor Higson said: "The figures are very worrying.

"It's disappointing that people are still prepared to take a risk."

Greater Manchester Police has teamed up with local authority road safety officers and traffic wardens to highlight the problem. Seat belt safety squads will be at school gates to educate children, parents and carers about the need to belt up.

Children at All Saints Primary School in Farnworth were today helping to launch the campaign.

It is estimated that 2,500 lives have been saved in the North -west since wearing seat belts became mandatory in 1983. Mr Higson added: "It's very simple: They do save lives and we want people to get it right no matter how short their journey is."

Cllr Guy Harkin, Bolton Council's executive member for environment said: "The aim of the initiative is to encourage people to comply with the law, rather than seeking to take enforcement action there and then.

"We contacted schools asking if they wanted our mobile teams to visit and we got a very encouraging response."