AN OPTICIANS in Petersfield is helping school children and teachers stay safe this winter after donating 95 high-visibility jackets to a school in Clanfield.

Staff from Specsavers, based in The Square, donated 90 child-sized and five adult-sized jackets to Petersgate Infants School.

This is to ensure pupils remain visible to drivers during the darker winter days as they travel to and from the school in Green Lane.

Assistant store manager Dan Theckston paid a visit to the school to hand over the jackets to headteacher Julie Cook, which gave pupils and teachers the chance to try them on for themselves.

Mrs Cook said: “Petersgate prides itself on providing children with opportunities to take part in many off-site visits throughout the year and their safety is always our primary concern.

“These hi-vis jackets are really going to help the children stand out and stay safe and we are really grateful to Specsavers for presenting us with so many jackets – particularly as our school is growing and we have many more children.”

Specsavers stores around the UK gave their support to Road Safety Week in November last year, an annual initiative established by charity group Brake encouraging schools and communities to take action on road safety.

The company supports a number of charities, including the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

Store director Jo Cox said: “We’re determined to educate more people about road safety, so we were delighted to donate the hi-vis jackets to Petersgate Infant School to wear during school or club activities.

“With longer nights over winter, it’s vital that children remain safe and visible while they’re outside.”