YOUNG people are being urged to think about cycle safety in a competition to design a helmet.

As part of their campaign to promote cycle safety, LV= Streetwise at West Howe and Coles Miller Solicitors have teamed up to launch the competition.

It comes following a spate of accidents around Bournemouth and Poole involving cyclists in the past few weeks.

The winner will ride off with a bike worth £200, along with some lights and, of course, a cycle helmet; 80 runners up will all receive helmets.

The competition is open to children aged five to 11 and designs will be judged across four categories; visibility, aerodynamics, safety and comfort.

Alison Shelton, manager at the LV=Streetwise Centre and one of the judges in the competition, said: “As well as being an opportunity for children to get creative and use their imaginations, this competition is about reminding people that helmets can save lives.”

Alison recently completed the Beaune Challenge, a 500-mile charity bike ride to France, during which another team’s rider, Laurence Dunn, had what could have been a fatal accident were it not for his cycle helmet.

Laurence added: “I got caught between a bike wheel and the kerb and the impact smashed my brand new Team Sky helmet but left me without any injury at all to my head.

“I have been a cyclist since I was a child and I can say, without hesitation, that cycle helmets have saved me from extremely serious or fatal injuries on at least two occasions.”

Lee Taylor, marketing manager at Coles Miller, said: “After the success of Bradley Wiggins and Team GB in the velodrome, cycling has become extremely popular in Britain, which is brilliant.

“As people get on their bikes, we are trying to educate them about the importance of wearing a cycle helmet.”

Children wishing to take part in the competition should draw side and front views of their designs on a piece of A4 paper along with their name, school, year and class.

Entries must be in by November 16 and should be posted to LV=Streetwise, Unit 1 Roundways, Elliott Road, Bournemouth, BH11 8JJ. For more information contact Alison Shelton on 01202 591330 or download the template from streetwise.org.uk.