After the clocks go back this month, parents and children will be travelling to and from school in the dark when they return from half-term.

To help keep youngsters across the Towns safe, kmfm has once again teamed up with Medway Council and Specsavers Medway for an important giveaway.

The number of pedestrian and cyclist casualties often increases in the winter months because motorists struggle to see them in the darker conditions.

In 2022, nine under 16s were killed or seriously injured on the Towns’ roads, according to the unitary authority.

Another 22 were hurt, but escaped with minor injuries after getting caught as a pedestrian in an incident on one of the Towns’ roads.

As the days get shorter, road safety teams want to ensure young people are as safe as they possibly can be and remind families how important it is to be visible.

As part of that, we have launched our Be Bright, Be Seen campaign again this year.

We have 3,000 fluorescent keyrings and 1,000 hi-vis vests to give away to Medway’s youngsters to help them be seen by drivers while walking along the pavement or crossing roads.

Medway Council’s portfolio holder covering highways, Cllr Simon Curry, said: “As darker nights and mornings approach, it is really important that we all stay safe on Medway’s roads.

“Making sure you have some kind of reflective wear with you before you leave the house is a simple step we can all take to help keep yourself, and everyone else on Medway’s roads, safe this winter.”

Retail director of Specsavers Medway Stores, Craig Holland, added: “We are proud to be working with Medway Council road safety to help children stay safe on the roads this winter and helping the community in Medway see more clearly.”

Applications are open now to register to receive the free keyrings and jackets but they will be in high demand, so do not delay in submitting yours.

You can make a request for your batch here.

Teachers, teaching assistants, youth group leaders and sports coaches can apply for an allocation of free keyrings. Applications must be made by November 12.