By SUZANNE ELSWORTH

PUPILS at Culcheth's Twiss Green Primary School are the first in the town to take part in a new road safety scheme, which aims to give them skills to last a lifetime.

The youngsters have been chosen to pilot an on-road cycle training scheme set up by the borough council's road safety unit.

If the scheme is successful, it will be widened across the town in a bid to help cut accident rates.

The aim of the new scheme is to stress the importance of cycling safety and awareness on the road, the need for protective clothing and the dangers posed by everyday traffic.

In contrast to the usual school playground scenarios, the new initiative also gives young people the chance to take to the roads in a closely supervised environment.

To ensure their safety, specialist equipment is worn and 'cyclists under training' signs are set up to warn road users.

Maureen Theobold, the council's road safety manager, said: "By teaching these youngsters the importance of being road aware we are aiming to give them skills that will stay with them forever.

"The realistic situations we are introducing in this cycle training scheme will make them safer cyclists and, when they are older, cycle-aware drivers.

"If it saves just one life or one person from getting hurt this new scheme will be worth all the effort."

The road safety unit is looking for volunteer instructors. If you can help, call 442691.