A GIANT banner is reminding motorists of a Lyme Regis school’s road safety campaign.

Following long-standing issues with parking and speeding vehicles near the school, pupils at St Michael’s primary were challenged last term by local police to design a banner to alert parents of the dangers of illegal parking and speeding.

The banner will be displayed outside the school’s gates, where there have been parking problems.

PCSO Luke White, pictured above with pupils, said: “We had received a number of complaints from parents regarding the illegal parking around the school and the fact it can be very dangerous for the children when they are being picked up or dropped off. We visited the school a number of times last year to give road safety classes, and the children echoed the thoughts of their parents.

“So we thought it would be a good idea to challenge the students to come up with a banner highlighting the problems and to send it in to us.”

Mr White said the police chose ten to 15 of the entries to be incorporated on the banner. Mr White added: “With the parking problems, we couldn’t do much about that because it is the responsibility of the council, so we thought this initiative would be a great way of addressing it.

“We are hoping it will make a big difference, and it will make parents think more about the speed they are travelling at and where they are parking.”

Headteacher Annabelle Grose said there had been a positive response to the concerns raised by Year Six pupils. She said: “The children spoke to MP Oliver Letwin and we are pleased that the police have taken an interest.

“The congestion at the beginning and end of the school day is a concern and the safety of the children should always be our priority.

“It is much safer if we have a clear road in front of the school.

“Parking in King’s Way and Anning Road is for one hour and there are usually spaces.”

The giant banner has also received the backing of the Lyme Regis Town Council. Coun Anita Williams, chairman of the planning and highways committee, said: “The town council is pleased to support any road safety initiatives in Lyme Regis, especially those that help keep our local school children safe.

“It is a great idea to get the St Michael’s pupils involved in designing a banner to make them think about the risks, and we hope the parents will take heed of the safety messages from their own children.

“We believe more permanent road safety measures are needed on the roads around St Michael’s Primary School and we are keen to work with Dorset County Council to implement suitable traffic calming.”