MORE than 1,000 children in Berry Hill have united to put the brakes on traffic outside their schools.

Pupils from Lakers School and Berry Hill Primary formed a "walking bus" and went on the march simultaneously with 100,000 other young people nationwide to highlight road safety issues.

The walk yesterday was especially poignant for 14-year-old Lakers pupil Melissa Cook, who was knocked down by a car on the A4136 just up the road from the school.

The teenager spent three days in hospital, underwent two operations and spent three months on crutches after suffering a fractured leg and kneecap.

"The speed of traffic is quite fast around here," she said.

"It can be dangerous as some people walk to school and back in areas where there is no pavement."

The walking bus event is aimed at raising driver awareness and to drum up support for a 20mph speed limit around schools.

Lakers PE teacher Tonia Donoghue, who organised the event, said: "With having two schools so close together it would be better to have a lower speed limit."

Lakers headteacher Alison Elliot said: "We worry constantly about lorries speeding past the school.

"Drivers of big vehicles in particular may not notice small children."