THE first scheme of its kind in Pendle to make children more aware of the dangers surrounding them is to be launched next week.

Organisers hope the ground-breaking week-long initiative will cut the number of accidents involving youngsters.

Agencies such as the emergency services, North West Water, Norweb and council departments are to team up to get the safety message across to primary school pupils.

Each day, youngsters will be given ten-minute long scenarios which will cover everything from food safety to electrical dangers.

Operation Streetwise will also stress the dangers of railways and reservoirs as well as challenging the youngsters' knowledge of first aid and fire safety.

The brains behind the ambitious event, council estate workers Mark Storey and Graeme Scott, hope the scheme will increase the childrens awareness of potential dangers.

"Burnley General Hospital last year dealt with more than 17,000 injuries as a result of accidents in the under-16 age group," explained Mark.

"The figure is particularly shocking when you consider that 3,600 of the accidents happened in the home.

"We've got 950 children taking part from 28 local schools.

"Each of the agencies involved will provide their own challenge and we are hoping that senior representatives of each group will come along on the opening day."

The week of events is to be held at the former Sacred Heart RC School building, Guy Syke, Colne.

It will be launched on Monday by the Mayor of Pendle, Coun Jo Belbin.

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