AN opticians is making a special pledge to help children stay safe this winter.

Specsavers, on Alton High Street, has 100 free high-visibility vests to donate to children during Road Safety Week, which runs until November 29, as part of an initiative run by its charity partner, Brake.

Brake is a national road safety charity that exists to prevent deaths and injuries that happen on roads on a daily basis, through campaigns and other funding. The charity also promotes safe and sustainable road use and effective road safety policies.

According to the THINK! report – why road safety matters – around 1,400 children aged up to 11 are killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads every year. That equates to around 27 children per week.

Motorists often find it hard to see pedestrians wearing dark clothes at night or when visibility is poor, so it’s vital that children are easily seen. This is an issue as many school uniforms are dark and most primary schools don’t have rules about outer garments.

The free high-visibility jackets are available now at Specsavers Alton, and the team is inviting children’s groups, schools, clubs and sports clubs to apply for them.

Premesh Patel, store director at Specsavers Alton, said: “Now that the clocks have changed and late afternoons are darker, we want to ensure that Alton children – and their parents – feel safe when they are out and about over the next few months.

“By raising awareness during Road Safety Week, and by offering the children these vests, we hope that they take extra care on trips, excursions or simply travelling to and from their home.”

To find out more about acquiring high-vis jackets, visit Specsavers at 43 High Street, Alton, or call 01420 593600.