ROAD safety is a serious issue at a Trowbridge primary school as pupils and teachers step up their campaign for a pelican crossing.

Children at Newtown Primary School know all too well how dangerous roads can be, after 10-year-old pupil Jaye Williamson escaped with cuts and bruises after being hit by a car outside the school gates.

A campaign for a pelican crossing was launched in December, with 200 people signing a petition presented to Wiltshire County Council earlier this year.

Councillors visited the school on March 3 to see the problem for themselves and are due to debate whether money should be allocated for a crossing later this month.

Year 6 pupils have been drafting letters to lobby councillors, while younger age groups have been concentrating on road safety issues to link-up with the school's campaign.

Pupils have compiled traffic surveys and questionnaires to gauge the scale of the problem.

Three lucky children will get the chance to help unveil the town's new police station in a competition organised by Wiltshire Constabulary.

Children in three year groups were asked to draw posters depicting a road safety or safer cycling message.

Teachers will pick out the best designs from each year group, with the creators getting the chance to attend the official opening this summer. Pupils from other Trowbridge schools will also be taking part in the ceremony.

Winning posters will go on display in the reception area of the purpose-built station in Polebarn Road.

Headteacher Sue Ivermee said it was important to include the children in the crossing campaign.

"Potentially we have 330 families crossing the road every day if you include the school and the nursery. It can be quite a feat in rush-hour traffic," she said.

"All the children have been taking part in different events. The very young children made posters on car safety and watched a video. We created a road in the school hall and they took turns in crossing it safely.

"The older children are writing letters to the council to persuade them we need a pelican crossing.

"We have to do everything we can, it is so dangerous out there."

School lollipop lady Sue Colton said she backed the campaign and witnessed the potential danger to children and adults on a daily basis.

"The traffic is travelling too fast and there are often parked cars everywhere so you have a job to see anything," she said.

"I hope the council does listen as we have put a lot of work towards it."