A NEW initiative has been launched to stop drivers speeding near a Leigh school.

Fairways Primary School, in The Fairway, became involved in the community speedwatch project after a child was hurt in an accident outside the school.

The project will see ten trained volunteers use a hand-held speed gun to catch speeding drivers.

Vehicle details are then passed to Essex Police so warning letters can be issued.

The school joined the scheme after Kai Johnson, six, was hit by a car as he used a puffin crossing outside the school with his mum Lisa and sister Lulu, four, in February.

Mrs Johnson, 40, said: “I had to watch as Kai rolled up onto its bonnet then down on to the floor.

“I just screamed at the driver and ran to Kai, telling him to stay still as I didn’t know how badly he was injured.

“Luckily, two other mums were nearby who are a nurse and a doctor, so they came to check him over and moved him to the side of the road.”

After an ambulance took him to hospital, a check-up showed Kai had only suffered whiplash and bruising, and the shaken schoolboy was able to go home.

His mum, who lives in Benfleet with husband Martin and two children, said: “The moment he was thrown up on to the bonnet was every parent’s worst nightmare. I am still haunted by thoughts of what could have been.”

Shaken by her son’s experience, Mrs Johnson wanted reassurance a similar situation wouldn’t happen again.

After other parents shared their concerns about the road, she contacted Southend Council, while another parent found details of the next Neighbour-hood Action Panel meeting, run by Essex Police.

Local neighbourhood officer, PC Phil Collie, said: “After an initial meeting at the school, Lisa attended the panel along with some other volunteers, where the group decided road safety in the area should be a priority.

“I introduced the concept of community speedwatch and the group was receptive. Lisa became the co-ordinator.”

Parents are also helping to cut congestion by parking cars at Belfairs Woods and walking children the rest of the way to school.