AFC BOURNEMOUTH has donated 1,000 high visibility vests to a campaign to help school children be seen across Dorset.

Businessman Mike Trimby came up with the idea of giving free jackets to help youngsters be seen as they walked to and from school and is now hoping to roll it out on national scale.

Around 5,000 vests have now been handed out to children across the county.

Mike Trimby said: “It’s massive to have the support of AFC Bournemouth and to be able to hand out another 1,000 vests.

“This is a community project, supported by the community, and AFC Bournemouth is a massive part of the community so I am delighted they are involved.”

Neill Blake, AFC Bournemouth chief executive, said: “When the club was first made aware of this cause and asked if we would support it, we were very happy to.

“It really struck a chord with us. Providing school children with high visibility vests is a simple idea but one that can have a big effect on their safety and wellbeing.

“We take all aspects of safety very seriously, including road safety. For the last two seasons the club’s Community Sports Trust has delivered a project called Soccer Safety School in partnership with Yellow Buses, and this is another demonstration of our commitment to the local community.”

The club used £1,000 from the Cherries Community Fund to buy the tops, which were printed with the AFC Bournemouth logo at no cost by BH Clothing.

Launched in February 2016, the Cherries Community Fund aims to provide financial assistance to projects that help young people and vulnerable groups, or those that promote a healthy lifestyle in Bournemouth.