A KEIGHLEY engineering company has given youngsters a lesson in safety.

KONE staged a special session for children to learn about safe use of lifts and escalators.

Nine youngsters, children of engineers at the Worth Bridge Road factory, took part in the event.

On arrival they were issued with high-visibility jackets and were shown a cartoon video featuring KONE safety mascots Bob the Elephant and Max the Mouse.

They were then given a tour of the premises and some of the issues raised in the film were illustrated.

And the youngsters took part in a practical demonstration to show what they had been taught about riding an escalator correctly and how to stop the machine in an emergency.

The session culminated with a presentation of safety awareness certificates and vouchers.

Project manager Lyndsey Shaw, who helped organise the event, said it had been a huge success.

"The children really seemed to enjoy it," she said.

"They asked lots of questions.

"A lot of people just get on an escalator without thinking about the safety aspects, such as ensuring they use the handrails and that their shoelaces aren't undone and in danger of catching, and don't know how to stop the machine should an emergency arise.

"This made them think about these things and increased their awareness."

Ms Shaw – who has been with the company for eight years – hopes the initiative, staged as part of a KONE safety week, could be expanded.

"We are looking to roll it out to schools," she added.

Anyone interested can e-mail her on lyndsey.shaw@kone.com.

KONE, founded in 1910, is a global leader in the lift and escalator industry.

About 300 people work from the company's Keighley site.

Across the UK the firm has a 1,700-strong workforce and worldwide employs over 40,000.

Its products can be seen in buildings ranging from airports and tube stations to shopping centres.