YOUNGSTERS from Pendle schools have been putting their best foot forward with an innovative pedestrian training programme.

The aim of Lancashire County Council's 'Right Start' scheme is to cut the number of road accidents involving young people.

It gives children practical experience of the traffic environment by helping them to become safer pedestrians.

According to County Council statistics in 2003, there were no fatalities, 12 serious injuries and 39 slight injuries in the five to seven year-old age group in Lancashire.

This compares with one fatal, 18 serious and 46 slight injuries in this age group in the county in 2002.

St John Southworth RC Primary School, Lomeshaye Road, Nelson is one of the many schools across the county that have are taking part in the training programme.

Anita Bailey, road safety adviser, said: "Right Start gives children the skills they need to be safe. The programme encourages traffic awareness and pedestrian skills that are essential for young road users. By increasing awareness of these skills we can work towards reducing casualties in this age group.

"Working in partnership with primary schools and parents we can enable children to become safer pedestrians."

Mrs Margaret Borman, headteacher at St John Southworth, added: "The road-side training has been very worth while in familiarising the children with the road environment.

"I know the children have benefited immensely.

"The support materials have also been excellent in enforcing the road safety messages of the programme."

The programme consists of three stages: 'Let's Talk', 'Let's Do' and 'Let's Remember'.