A safety campaign has begun after a survey revealed half of child passengers in Kirklees do not wear seatbelts or have car seats.

The survey also showed that the figure jumped to 95 per cent outside some schools in the area.

Now Kirklees Council is to take action in partnership with the health service and West Yorkshire Police.

An unrestrained passenger involved in an accident at 30mph will be thrown forwards with a force up to 60 times their own bodyweight, say experts.

Each year in the UK up to 15 front-seat passengers are killed by the impact from an unbelted passenger in the rear seat.

It is a criminal offence not to wear a seatbelt, with more than 200,000 fixed penalty fines issued in the UK in one year.

Councillor Ann Denham, Kirklees cabinet member for highways, said: "Parents must take heed of the need for safe car seats and safety belts for their children, however short the trip is.

"It is a proven fact that most accidents occur on short journeys so the length of the trip is no excuse.

"Our campaign will highlight the dangers and offer help and advice,"

The campaign also hopes to educate parents in how to fit a child car seat correctly. Training is being offered by Kirklees nurseries, Home Start, Sure Start and the Kirklees Early Years Service.

The area's director of public health, Sohail Bhatti, said: "Once children have been strapped into a car seat parents may feel they have done their best to keep their children safe.

"But checking that they are strapped in correctly is also very important as it helps to give the best possible protection in the event of an accident.

"Young children rely on their parents and carers to keep them safe in the car." Kirklees highways officers will also now offer free child car seat safety checks at four supermarkets on June 2 and 3.

Checks in the Spen Valley area will be held at Morrisons in Heckmondwike from 10am to noon on Friday, June 3.

Sergeant Alan Kaye, of the Kirklees Road Policing Team, said: "The research conducted clearly highlights a problem, particularly on school journeys, and this is putting our children at significant risk of harm.

"We will be attempting to ensure that those responsible for conveying children in vehicles are aware of the importance of using appropriate child restraints and our role will be educational and advisory in the interests of safety for the children of our district."

A series of talks at schools will also to promote the safe use of seatbelts, car seats and booster seats.