DRIVERS are being urged to take extra care as children return to school after the summer holidays.

The Bolton Advanced Motorists group warns that the rate for road accidents involving children peaks between 8am and 9am when children are going to school, and again at 3pm when they leave. Statistics show that one in five children injured on the road is hurt during the hours of the school run, which typically sees rush hour traffic increase by nearly 20 per cent.

Roy Sammons, chairman of Bolton Advanced Motorists, said: "Anybody driving near a school at these peak times should bear in mind these sad statistics.

"This is not just a message for those parents taking their children to school, it is an important message for all drivers to take extra care around schools."