More than 80 pupils at Montgomery Infant School and Nursery in Colchester designed striking posters to highlight the dangers of construction sites for a poster competition set by Lovell.

The company, which is carrying out a £19.5 million housing regeneration scheme for Colne Housing Society at Oakapple Close in Colchester, organised the competition as part of its ongoing campaign to raise awareness among children and young people to stay away from building sites.

Lovell regional health and safety manager Darryl Hammond delivered the safety message when he visited the school in Baronswood Way earlier this year. The pupils watched a film made by Lovell featuring the company's 'hard hat' cartoon characters Lenny and Laura, who help children to understand that construction sites are potentially hazardous places and should never be viewed as playgrounds.

-- Advertisement --

At the health and safety talk, Darryl challenged pupils to design a poster to help other youngsters understand why they should never play on a construction site. The competition was judged by Iceni Homes, Colne Housing Society's development arm. Lovell presented the first prize winner in each year group with a £10 book token, with a £5 book token going to the second prize winners. The first, second and third prize winners all received Lenny and Laura goodies including pencils, colouring books and toys.

The first prize winners were Filbert Owusu-Antwi; Ben Stockwell; Sophie Freeman and Grace Cooper.

"Events like these are an excellent way of getting an important message across in a fun way," explained Lovell Regional Health and Safety Manager Darryl Hammond. "We were really impressed with the posters. The children clearly put a great deal of thought into how to highlight the importance of staying safe around construction sites."

At Oakapple Close, Lovell is refurbishing 73 two-, three- and four-bedroom properties for Colne Housing Society. The former Ministry of Defence Homes are being updated so that they can be offered to local families for affordable rent through Colchester Borough Council’s choice-based lettings scheme.

(CD/GK)