A STRETFORD optician is making sure children are safe on dark winter days by donating 170 high-visibility vests to a local primary school.

Steve Arran from Specsavers in Stretford Mall spends his days helping people see and is now ensuring the youngsters can also be seen.

He has given the bright orange jackets to St Mary’s CE Primary in Davyhulme and is hoping it will help the children on their dark walks to and from school.

Steve said: “It’s so important that youngsters are kept safe when they’re walking to and from school on these dark winter days.

“This particular primary school does not have a lot of its own facilities so I know the kids are on the road quite a lot going back and forth to different places.”

The vests were given to the Stretford Mall optician as part of a nationwide company scheme during Road Safety Week and store director Steve gave some to a local Beavers and Cubs group before gifting the remainder to St Mary’s.

St Mary’s head teacher Anita Fagan said: “ “We have wonderful, bright and enthusiastic, extremely special children at St Mary’s and their safety is paramount to us. The wearing of these jackets will make sure that the children can be clearly seen when walking near to roads in the local area or attending a school trip.”

Steve added: “I’m really glad to have been able to help again this year and if it keeps these youngsters just that little bit safer when they’re out and about then that’s great.”