A TODDLER from Chipping Sodbury is helping to keep older children safe on their way to and from school.

Three-year-old Charlie Rogers reinforces the importance of road safety outside the school gates at St John’s Mead Primary School by encouraging everyone to use the school patrol.

Every day, Charlie insists his whole family only cross Hounds Road under the supervision of school lollipop man Graham Brown as he and mum Sarah take his two older brothers Brandon, 11, and Callum, 7, and sister Lucy, 8, to school.

So determined is Charlie to teach others the importance of road safety, he will not step out into the road unless Graham has stopped the traffic.

The youngster is so taken with Graham’s role that he has even had help from his parents to make his own uniform and lollipop stick to match, He has also started referring to himself as 'little Graham'.

Mrs Rogers said: “We’re very proud of Charlie.

“I think the reason he is so interested is all down to Graham. He’s there rain or shine for all the children and always has a smile on his face and we’re really proud that Charlie looks up to him.”

Wendy Feltham, road safety officer at South Gloucestershire Council, added: “It’s wonderful to see that Charlie has taken on board this important message at such a young age. He is setting a good example to everyone else.

“When he starts school, I am sure he will enjoy and benefit from further road safety interventions, such as mini scooter training, cycle training and interactive road safety workshops which are provided by South Gloucestershire Council.”

The council currently has crossing patrol vacancies in Almondsbury, Barrs Court, Downend, Winterbourne, Hawksbury, Iron Acton, Thornbury and Frampton Cotterell.

Call 01454 863611 for an application form or for an informal discussion.