Swindon's 20,000 primary schoolchildren will look forward to a safer winter this year thanks to a joint initiative between Nation-wide Building Society and Swindon Borough Council.

Nationwide has chosen to pilot its road safety initiative in Swindon and this was being launched at schools across the borough from today.

In conjunction with the Swindon Borough Council's Safer Routes to Schools initiative, Nationwide's pilot project will ensure all primary schoolchildren receive a reflective disc to wear.

Andrew Litchfield, head of community relations at Nationwide said: "As the clocks go back and the nights draw in, this is a good opportunity to launch this scheme in our home-town and work towards a winter when Swindon children will be seen and safe on the roads."

Margaret Tester, road safety officer at Swindon Borough Council, said: "Safety is a major concern and we're very pleased that Nationwide has chosen Swindon."