CARS fitted with child car seats are being checked by Worcestershire County Council to make sure they are safe.

Every year, hundreds of children are killed or hurt in cars, but the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents claim a properly fitted seat could reduce this number.

Road safety officer Barbara Wood is touring the county to offer advice and check seats are safe.

She has already visited new mums in Worcester, health visitors in Evesham and Droitwich as well as parents-to-be and midwives in Kidderminster.

"I'm always happy to meet different organisations, such as parent and toddler groups," said Ms Wood.

"I'm always arranging drop-in sessions around the county where drivers can stop off without an appointment."

At one spot check held at Lyppard Grange Community Centre in Warndon Villages, Ms Wood checked 14 seats in a two-hour visit. Nine of these needed readjusting to secure them correctly in the vehicle, one was incompatible with the vehicle, three fitted correctly and one was condemned as being unsafe.

For more information on car seat checks Ms Wood can be called on 01527 64252.