PRIMARY school pupils have designed bicycle helmets they hope will be given to disadvantaged youngsters across the country.

Pupils from Milton Hall Primary School, in Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff, have entered a competition to design a new bicycle helmet for firm Lazer Helmets.

The company, which is running the contest with the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust charity, has pledged to manufacture the best design for the trust to give to disadvantaged children.

Angela Lee, chief executive and founder of the trust, said: “Wearing a helmet has been shown to reduce head injuries by up to 88 per cent, but only 17 per cent of children wear one.

“We want to see children and primary schools in Essex take part and show us what bike helmets they would like to wear.

“We know that image and peer pressure is one of the big factors that deters a lot of young cyclists from wearing a helmet and believe this project will provide an insight into what young people themselves find appealing."

The pupils showed off their designs at the school last Wednesday.