A CROCODILE and a pack of lions rocked up at a Cinderford school to raise awareness of road safety.

Pupils at St Whites Primary School were supplied with some hi-vis tabards by the Severndean Lions Club while Gloucestershire Constabulary brought along Colin the Crocodile to talk.

The visit was part of the School Gate campaign which aims to educate parents and carers about keeping children safe on the school run. 

'Thank You For Keeping Me Safe' is an event running across the county and is a joint campaign between Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership, Gloucestershire Constabulary and the Police and Crime Commissioner who is funding it over three years.

PCSO Sue Pritchard said: "St Whites School are fully committed to road safety and have already completed speed surveys prior to the event.  

"The children are sending out a valuable message to both parents and other road users that they want to stay safe. I am going to set up an after-school club for road safety at St Whites School to continue the good work the children have already been involved in. This is an exciting time for the children but is also giving out important messages."

Headteacher Teresa Cross added: "The school is delighted to have welcomed Colin the Crocodile to celebrate the school's endeavours to raise awareness of road safety. Neil Ricketts, a governor of two local schools and rugby coach to local youth teams, agreed to present certificates to winners of the road safety competition.

"The school would like to thank Sue Pritchard, our local PCSO, for her efforts in supporting St Whites School with this extremely important aspect of safety education."

Chief Executive Officer of Versarien PLC, Neill Ricketts donated book tokens to Jessica Saunders and Riley Phelps who won the 'Thank You For Keeping Me Safe' campaign poster competition.