CHILDREN at a school near Swindon are getting slap happy – all for health and safety.

Youngsters at Wanborough Primary School have been given 200 fluorescent ‘slap bands’ by building firm Taylor Wimpey, which is currently building 200m homes in the village.

The donation has been made as part of a Walk To School initiative, which is designed to encourage children and parents to make walking to school part of their daily routine, encouraging a healthy lifestyle and minimising car journeys.

And the slap bands will make the children more visible to drivers on their walk to school, making the journey safer.

Headteacher Andrew Drury said: “We encourage the children to walk to school for the sake of their health and to avoid unnecessary congestion outside the school. “We are very grateful to Taylor Wimpey for this generous donation which will help raise the profile of walking to school among pupils and parents alike.”

And Darren McCormack, regional sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey, said: “We are committed to supporting the communities in which we build our new homes, and this donation is an excellent example of the way we can help schools and other local organisations.

“Nowadays there is a real concern about the amount of time children spend outside being active and walking to school is an ideal way to help them get more exercise – but it’s important that they can be seen clearly by motorists.”