The dangers of lorries were demonstrated to youngsters at St Paul’s Primary School, Wibsey, Bradford, as part of a road safety scheme.

Staff at logistics company DHL brought a 44-tonne truck to the school to teach pupils about what the driver can see and hear while in the cab and what to do if their football runs under a truck. The Truck and Child Safety Demonstration (TACS) also taught the children about the truck’s dimensions and noise.

Demonstrator Darren Little said: “Young children need to understand that they are small and trucks are huge and if a driver cannot see or hear them he won’t know they are on the road.

“Even if we can avoid only one child being killed or seriously injured on the roads by giving these TACS demonstrations then the whole thing is worth it.”

Head teacher Catherine Haigh said: “You can talk about road safety in assemblies and classrooms, but there is no substitute for a live demonstration.”