SCHOOLS across Dorset have been receiving awards for their road safety education.

Dorset Road Safe presented primary and secondary schools across the county with bronze, silver and gold awards for their work teaching students important road awareness.

A ceremony was held at Kingston Maurward College which was attended by local schools as well as the High Sheriff Philip Warr, Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Julie Fielding and representatives of the Dorset Road Safe Partnership.

Leaders from Heathlands primary school in Springwater Road, Bournemouth won gold in the primary category.

Christ the King Catholic primary school in West Howe was awarded the silver medal and bronze went to Cranborne Church of England Voluntary Aided First School.

In the secondary school category, gold awards were presented to Poole High School and also to Twynham School in Christchurch.

Woodroffe Girls’ school in Lyme Regis was presented with the silver medal and representatives from Corfe Hills in Corfe Mullen received the bronze.

Assistant Chief Constable, Julie Fielding, said: “It is really important for us to recognise those schools who are actively engaging in road safety education.”

Those attending the event heard that road accidents have reduced by 30 per cent in Dorset in the last seven years.

However, a total of 16 people were killed and 277 injured on the county’s roads last year.

The Assistant Chief Constable added: “I would like to thank those schools who are actively working with the partnership.

“We welcome conversations with schools who are looking to improve their education inputs with young people around road safety.”

Anyone who wants more information about the road safety education schemes can go to dorsetroadsafe.org.uk.