PRIMARY school pupils have each been given their own hi-vis jacket following calls to improve road safety outside their school.

Campaigners say motorists regularly flout the current 30mph speed limit near Marshwood Primary School, along the B3165, and are petitioning for it to be lowered to 20mph.

Children must cross the busy road to use the school playing field, so Marshwood Community Land Trust (CLT) stepped in to purchase each pupil a hi-vis jacket.

Representatives of the CLT presented each of the school’s pupils with a jacket at an assembly on Friday.

Headteacher Luke Owen said: “All children are being encouraged now to wear their hi vis’ to and from school every day, as they negotiate the road outside the school.

“A lovely gesture and greatly appreciated by children and parents alike.”

Concerned villagers say they have had enough of motorists speeding along the road and have set up a Speed Watch group.

The group claims its findings show that, on average, 160 cars pass the school every hour, with more than a third speeding at 34mph or more and a quarter at 40mph or more.

The highest speed recorded outside the school was 74mph.

The group is collecting signatures for its petition, found at the school’s reception.