SCHOOL nurses are urging parents and teachers in East Lancashire to make road safety a top priority.

This month has been designated International Walk to School month to encourage families to tackle inactivity among children.

A survey last year showed the number of children walking to school in the UK had reached an all-time low. While 70 percent of children walked to school a generation ago, the figure today is just 48 percent.

Cheryl Forrest, service manager at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, which oversees school nurses, said: “There is on average six children under the age of five who are killed or seriously injured on the roads every week.

"It is crucial children are made aware of road safety, cycle safety and how to handle traffic at a young age.

"As the days get shorter and darker, the roads can become more and more hazardous and it is all the more important to be careful.

Our school nurses are already promoting top tips about walking that encourage children to be careful when walking or cycling alone, with friends or with parents.”

The largest numbers of child injuries occur between 8am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm. During these times there are around 16 deaths or serious injuries to children under 16 nationally every week.