A RAIL safety book written by a train driver is warning children of the dangers on the railway.

‘Arlos Adventures There and Back’ by Bessie Matthews is aimed at children aged seven to 13.

Bessie, wanted to raise funds for the Railway Children charity and gently educate youngsters of the dangers on the tracks.

READ > Search for chef after £1m restoration of Knutsford 's Freemasons Inn

The book follows Arlo the badger as he makes his first ever solo trip on the train to see friends Duskie and Moss, who live a couple of stops away.

Bessie said: “It’s such an odd feeling to see such a little idea has all of a sudden become a reality but I hope it will help keep people safe around the railways.”

The reader helps the trio stay safe by turning to the page they think is the best choice featuring real world scenarios such as level crossings and station platforms, as well a child-friendly glossary of railway terms.

Around 20,000 copies have been handed out at stations across the UK.

Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) presented copies of the book to Handforth’s three primary schools and library.

Knutsford Guardian: From left, Sonny McCarthy, Rosemary Thomason and Mike Bishop with pupils at St Benedict's RC Primary SchoolFrom left, Sonny McCarthy, Rosemary Thomason and Mike Bishop with pupils at St Benedict's RC Primary School (Image: Friends of Handforth Station)

The books were given to FoHS from the Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership.

Mike Bishop, FoHS president, presented copies to St Benedict’s RC Primary School, Wilmslow Academy and Handforth Grange School, during their school assemblies.

Mike said: “We are very pleased to donate such a worthwhile book to our local primary schools and to the public library.

“We hope that youngsters will enjoy reading it and, more importantly, that they learn important lessons about how to travel safely on the railway.”

Natalie Scappaticci, of Wilmslow Academy, said: “We’re grateful to the Rail Partnership and to FoHS, for helping us to keep our children safe.”

Knutsford Guardian: From left, Janet Hayley, Mike Bishop and Debbie Wood at Handforth LibraryFrom left, Janet Hayley, Mike Bishop and Debbie Wood at Handforth Library (Image: Friends of Handforth Station)

Mike presented 30 copies to Handforth Library.

Head librarian Debbie Wood said: “As Handforth’s children grow up and use the railway more and more independently, we hope they’ll remember the lessons in this great little book.”