VOLUNTEERS have been given high visibility vests as part of a scheme to help children get to school safely.

Known as the Walking Caterpillar, parents of pupils at Westgate Primary School, Summerhill Road, Dartford, can literally drop their children off and let them be walked to school by volunteers.

The CRB-checked volunteers, some of who are parents, have been given 15 yellow vests with a caterpillar on them, supplied by the Co-op’s Thurrock branch.

The vests identify the volunteers who escort the children from the car park to the school.

Admin assistant Hillary Matthews said: “We had issues in our car park with safety of the children.

“Walking Caterpillar keeps the car park clear, gets the parents in and out quickly and the children are delivered to the school grounds safely.”