A WEST Devon pupil has had her warning message to speedy drivers emblazoned on signs put up around her village.

South Tawton Parish Council has been trying to make the roads in the village safer for its parishioners and for the children at South Tawton Primary School.

The parish council worked alongside South Tawton Primary School to create special road signs encouraging road users to slow down around South Zeal, where the school is located.

There was a competition held at the school to see who could come up with the best design for ‘slow down’ signs. Amelia Kiersey, Year 6, was the prize winner and the parish council awarded her a £10 book token and a special copy of her winning design to keep. The design was made into five road signs, which have been placed around the village on roads leading into the school, to remind drivers to slow down.

Councillor Andrew Sampson, chairman of the parish council, said: ‘South Tawton Primary School has done the village proud yet again. The parish council had a very hard job to choose a winner from all the entries. This was a competition to involve the local children and help make them aware of road safety. The winning road sign is now fitted and looks great.’

Heather Poustie, headteacher at South Tawton Primary School, said: ‘I am really pleased that the children at school want to help with important matters such as road safety. Like any village, there are more and more cars every year and as South Zeal has a thriving community and primary school it is really important that we do everything we can to keep the children and local community safe. Amelia’s sign will certainly help as a reminder to drivers to slow down and also to remind children that they need to take care. It was a great idea by the parish council to run a competition and Amelia should be very proud that her sign will be a reminder to drivers for many years to come.’

South Tawton Parish Council expressed thanks to Steve Dawe, neighbourhood highways officer for Devon Highways, for giving his time and expertise to help with the project.

l Pictured — Amelia Kiersley and vice chair of South Tawton Parish?Council and teaching assistant Cllr Jane White, with?Amelia’s winning design, now on display.