COLCHESTER United FC is helping promote road safety for children as the dark nights draw in.They are teaming up with the government's THINK! campaign urging youngsters to "Be Safe, Be Seen" on dark winter mornings and evenings.

COLCHESTER United FC is helping promote road safety for children as the dark nights draw in.

They are teaming up with the government's THINK! campaign urging youngsters to "Be Safe, Be Seen" on dark winter mornings and evenings.

The message will be promoted at Layer Road this afternoon before the Colchester home match against Chesterfield.

The club mascot, Eddie the Eagle, will be distributing t-shirts, balloons and other promotional material highlighting the importance of being visible on the roads as clocks go back an hour tonight.

Last year, 31 children were killed in pedestrian accidents between November and March and 1,070 were seriously injured.

A new television advert and local events organised by road safety officers around the country will highlight the fact that children should wear fluorescent clothes when out on the roads during the day, and reflective clothes at night.

Phil Parkinson, Colchester United manager said: "With the clocks going back and the nights getting darker, it's more important than ever that children and young people think about being seen when they're out on the road.

"Wearing fluorescent clothing during the day and reflective clothing at night could save your life, so if you want to be safe – be seen."

Colchester traffic police have also warned of the risks to children on their bikes as the nights draw in.

Sergeant Chris Tyler, of the Stanway road policing unit, called for parents to check their children's bikes were well equipped with lights.

He said: "People seem to take a long time to realise that it will be dark when their children are coming home from school."