KERBCRAFT could save a child's life. Piloted by the Government, Kerbcraft is a new child pedestrian training programme. And Bolton is one of 38 councils nationwide chosen to try it as part of a national assessment.

Two areas of Bolton - Central and Derby wards - will be the focus of the drive aimed at curbing the toll of child road victims.

Youngsters from these districts are almost twice as likely to be involved in a roadside accident as anywhere else in the country.

Eleven primary schools in the wards are involved in Kerbcraft which has won backing from Bolton Wanderers.

Kerbcraft was developed by a team of psychologists at Strathclyde University to give children guided lessons and practice sessions at the roadside.

It teaches three vital skills: choosing safe places and routes; crossing safely at parked cars and crossing safely near junctions.

Bolton Council successfully bid for funding to be part of the three year pilot scheme which targets children in the five to eight year-old age range.

The lessons are given by a team of trained volunteers.

Delia O'Brien has been appointed co-ordinator of the scheme and aims to recruit and train as many volunteer instructors as possible.

She says: "Everybody who lives, works or travels in and around Bolton can be part of our effort to keep our children safe. A few hours of your time could help to teach children skills to keep them safe."

The Road Safety Unit is looking for people who are friendly and patient, can talk to children and are in good health and fit.

Applicants will be subject to a police criminal record check.

Volunteering involves sparing a few hours for a training course and then an hour a week for four to six weeks.

Anyone interested should contact Delia O'Brien on 01204 336433.

Kayleigh Hanna, aged 10, a pupil at St Matthew's Primary School, has designed a full-colour logo for the Kerbcraft campaign. She won a competition to design a local logo and her striking design will be featured on all Kerbcraft correspondence, leaflets and other material for the next three years.

Delia O'Brien said: "The standard of all the entries was very high and the children had some excellent ideas, but Kayleigh's bold but simple design caught the judges' eyes."

JBI Ltd of Lancashire who are endorsing the Kerbcraft scheme, gave a pair of shoes with a road safety theme as part of Kayleigh's prize. She also received a gift voucher.