PUPILS at Whittington CE Primary School learned about road safety when a removals firm dropped in for the day.

Pickfords Removals and Storage visited the school as part of National Road Safety Week, organised by Brake, the national road safety charity.

The firm demonstrated and educated the nine to 11 year olds on the dangers associated with large goods vehicles on the public highway.

As well as a practical demonstration by West Mercia Constabulary using both a police car and community support officer’s mountain bike, the 49 children from years five and six were also given the unique opportunity to become the driver of a 21-tonne Pickfords pantechnicon removals lorry.

The event, organised by Nigel Ferriday, branch manager of Pickfords in Worcester, provided the children with a practical lesson in understanding blind spots and danger zones, as well as respecting other road users.

Mr Ferriday said that the feedback from both the children and their teachers was extremely positive and although this was a pilot event, Pickfords fully intended to offer its support again next year. “It’s important for us all to know how to respect other road users, particularly those who are more vulnerable,” he said.

Christine Powell and Susanne Dyke, from the Worcestershire County Council’s road safety office, and Alex Fogwill and Simon Williams of West Mercia Constabulary, also attended the event.

In a statement they said: “It was great to receive the support of a large national organisation such as Pickfords. We are keen to forge new alliances within the community to help the education of road safety and awareness of children.”