HUNDREDS of children across Southampton can stay safer at night after 950 high visibility vest were donated to school and scout groups.

Specsavers stores in Bitterne, Shirley, Totton and Southampton gave vests to the children at five schools and four scouts groups to promote safety at night.

The vests were purchased after £1,425 was raised through budget from each Specsavers store at about £1.50 each.

The vests were given to children at Shirley Infants School, Foundry Lane School, Calmore Infant School, St Patrick's Catholic School, Hazelwood School, 3rd Itchen North Scout Group, 2nd Shirley Beavers, Eling Sea Scouts and 2nd Southampton Beavers.

Cate Gregory, Head of School at Shirley Infants said: “We’re very thankful to Specsavers for providing all of our children with their own high-visibility vests.

“The safety of our pupils is incredibly important to us and these vests will allow the children to be visible to cars on outings and school trips.”

Store director for the Bitterne, Shirley and Totton Specsavers stores Leighton Simmons said: “We want to make sure that children are safe and visible at night.

“We’re happy that we’ve managed to give these vests to a large proportion of our community and hope our donation will help keep parents’ minds at ease when their children are out and about on trips.”