YOUNGSTERS from across Lowestoft and Waveney were hailed this week as schools were honoured for promoting road safety in and out of the classroom.

A panel of road safety experts, including Suffolk county councillor Guy McGregor, hosted a question time style-event for children as part of an awards ceremony for junior road safety officers in the council chambers of Endeavour House.

More than 60 children from schools across the county sat in seats normally occupied by councillors and put their questions and concerns to the panel before the awards were announced, with teachers and parents looking on in the public gallery.

Gold, silver and bronze awards were given to schools according to the quality and content of the safety schemes they have run:

GOLD: Barnby and North Cove Community Primary (Beccles), St. Edmund's Catholic Primary (Bungay), Sir Robert Hitcham CEVAP (Framlingham), Gunton Community Primary (Lowestoft), Edgar Sewter Community Primary (Halesworth), Meadow Community Primary (Lowestoft), Poplars Community Primary (Lowestoft), Beaumont Community Primary (Hadleigh), Chelmondiston CEVCP, Dale Hall Community Primary (Ipswich), Hintlesham and Chattisham CEVCP, Ranelagh Community Primary (Ipswich), Beck Row Primary (Mildenhall), Kessingland CEVCP (Lowestoft).

SILVER: Mendham Primary (Harleston), St. Edmund's Primary (Hoxne), Bramford CEVCP, Honington Primary (Bury St Edmunds), Holbrook Primary (Ipswich), All Saint's CEVAP (Newmarket), Benhall St. Mary's CEVCP, Carlton Colville Primary (Lowestoft), Woodhall Community Primary (Sudbury).

BRONZE: Crowfoot Community Primary (Beccles), Ilketshall St. Lawrence (Beccles), Saxmundham Primary, Thorndon CEVCP (Eye), Yoxford Primary, Brooklands Primary (Brantham), Whitton Community Primary (Ipswich), Wenhaston Primary (Halesworth), Whitton Green Community Primary (Lowestoft), Wortham Primary (Diss).

The awards reflect the effort and innovation of the Junior Road Safety Officers, who have all promoted road safety in their schools throughout the year with regular bulletins on information boards and by running competitions and events.

David Chenery, road safety group manager said; 'The junior road safety officer scheme has been running in Suffolk for over eight years.

'We get some searching questions about road safety from the young people and the panel has to be on top form when answers are given.

'The scheme raises awareness among children about road safety and helps contribute towards casualty reduction in the county,' he added. 'Every child and school is to be congratulated for playing their part in this important work.'