Children living in one of Northumberland’s newest housing developments have used the summer break to get arty and design new road safety signs.

The youngsters living at our North East region’s development, The Fairways, in Cramlington, entered a community organised competition, backed by us, to design signs reminding drivers to watch their speed.

The three winning pictures have been made into signs, which will be erected around the development to  re-enforce the road safety message. We also awarded a £30 gift voucher to the first-place design, and a £15 prize for both second and third.

First placed was eight-year-old Kaitlyn Batchelor-Bowman, with her snail design; second was Olivia Lackenby, nine, with her blue car and street scene; and third-placed was Abbie Lackenby, seven, with her drawing of children playing football in the street.

Community organiser Sue Poppelwell explained: “We have a fantastic community here at The Fairways and we wanted to make sure drivers were reminded not to speed through our development.

“The children were delighted to take part in the competition and there were some very creative entries from the youngest aged just five to the oldest at nine.

“We sent all the drawings to the team at Persimmon Homes North East and three designs were selected to be made into signs to be erected around our streets reminding drivers there are children out playing.

“This is a wonderful place to live and we do have a strong community spirit so it was wonderful that the children got involved and that the contest was supported by Persimmon Homes too.”

Paul Charlton, customer care manager for Persimmon Homes North East, added: “The Fairways is one of our most popular developments and it is inspiring to see such a strong community spirit has evolved there.

“The residents are clearly proud to be part of the new community and there is such an inclusive and welcoming feel to the events they organise. We wish all our customers all the best and are happy to support them with their community activities.”

A range of family homes from three to five bedrooms is currently available at The Fairways with prices starting from £176,950. For more information please visit The Fairways or call the sales team on 01670 337723.