EMERGENCY Services have warned of the dangers of wearing dark coloured clothing when walking on busy roads as the nights draw in, with a stark message showing how easily a motorist could fail to see a child.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has shared a photograph which shows two images of a child stood at the side of a road.

In the top picture, the child is wearing high visibility clothing and can easily be seen. In the bottom picture the same child is wearing dark clothing and is almost invisible to motorists.

In a Facebook post, a spokesman for DWFRS said: “As we approach shorter daylight hours, whether you walk, cycle, use public transport or drive, make sure you and your children can be seen. #BeSafeBeSeen”

The photograph, created by North Yorkshire Police, has been shared to raise awareness of the dangers or wearing dark clothing.