CHILDREN on Wiltshire's school buses are being encouraged to behave through a new bus prefect scheme.

Wiltshire County Council's passenger transport unit is to train some youngsters to report any incidents of bad behaviour on the buses and help ensure the school journey is a safe and pleasant one for their friends.

Linda Winstock, customer service and training officer, said: "We want to ensure travelling on school buses is a safe and pleasant experience for everyone.

"Unruly behaviour can be a health and safety risk and can lead to accidents and injuries. The bus prefects will have an important contribution to make to help improve behaviour on school buses."

The prefects will be given bus-shape badges so the driver and fellow pupils will know they are there. They will also have a pad on which they can record and report incidents. Pupils will be asked to report unruly behaviour at the bus stop or during the journey, and any incidents of bullying, vandalism and smoking.

They will also be encouraged to report

any examples of positive behaviour. The school and the council's transport unit will then investigate the behaviour and decide on appropriate action.

The scheme is currently running in several areas of the county, including Salisbury and Devizes, and it is hoped west Wiltshire schools will soon follow suit.

Schools interested in finding out more should contact Linda Winstock on (01225) 713343 for more information or to join the scheme.