HUNDREDS of children from across Hampshire will undergo training to become road safety gurus this month.

Almost 300 youngsters aged between nine and 11 will be put through their paces today to gain the title of junior road safety officers, as part of a county council scheme.

The pupils, from 145 schools in Hampshire, will become ambassadors for road safety for their schools and will help teach their classmates about the importance of the green cross code.

The project, which is now in its sixth year, has seen a record number of schools get on board this year as council chiefs aim to improve road safety in and around their schools.

Pupils who have been selected to become junior road safety officers will take part in an interactive morning of training today, before using their newfound knowledge to create radio commercials and T-shirts promoting road safety.

Hampshire County Council’s transport and environment boss, Councillor Seán Woodward, said: “Junior road safety officers play a crucial role in schools by teaching their friends the importance of road safety and what they can do to keep themselves safe.

“It also aims to give children a good grounding in road safety education as they prepare for the transition to secondary school – the point at which many children begin to travel independently.