SCHOOLchildren will ‘fine’ parents who park dangerously outside schools in Great Harwood as part of a 20mph campaign.

The initiative kicked off yesterday at Our Lady and St Hubert’s RC Primary School, where special banners and posters, designed by the children, were unveiled.

Youngsters will be educated about road safety and they, in turn, will educate their parents, and carers, about the issue.

The initiative was devised by Our Lady teacher Kathryn Hammerton, and PC Dave Render, of Great Harwood police, who gave a presentation at the assembly.

People who park on zig- zag lines near schools will be given a pretend ‘fixed penalty’ notice from pupils, with a hand-written note, as a deterrent.

But their details will be recorded, and they will be fined properly if they park there again.

Ms Hammerton said: “The event went really well. It was a huge success. There was a presentation educating children, so they can go and educate parents.

“We try to give the children ownership for their learning. They’ve been out on the road with police with speed cameras. The children taking ownership can have a bigger impact.

“They say ‘you’re putting our lives at risk’.

“They’ve been learning about safety on the road. We initiated this ayear ago, and we hope to continue it indefinitely.”

The Great Harwood scheme involves all the primary schools in the town - Great Harwood St John’s; St Wulstan’s RCPrimary School; Great Harwood Primary; St Bartholomew’s CE Primary; as well as Our Lady.

It is the first of its kind in Lancashire, but it is hoped it will be rolled out to other areas.

Paul Binks, road and transport safety manager for the county council, said: “Children tell us they support 20mph speed limits on the streets around where they live, and feel safer as a result of the 20mph speed limits “Children are great advocates of the 20mph schemes, and we’re working with police and schools to raise awareness among the wider community of the benefits for everyone’s safety, health and quality of life.”

The Lancashire Telegraph wants 20mph areas implemented as a priority as part of its ‘20 Is Plenty’ campaign to reduce the number of children seriously injured on our streets.