02 December 2004 00:00 Central Networks’ Power Discovery Bus visits Derbyshire as part of electrical safety tour

The Beatles might have had a Magical Mystery Tour but Central Networks’ Power Discovery Bus has been in Derbyshire this month as part of its Electrical Safety Tour.

In the lead up to the Christmas holidays the bus has been stopping off in local schools to teach pupils about electricity and electrical safety.

Derbyshire youngsters were able to watch a safety video, and build electrical circuits with buzzers, motors and lights. The bus also houses its very own ‘Hazard Valley’ – a large model landscape featuring urban and rural scenes full of potential hazards for children to spot.

David Welbourne, Network & Public Safety Advisor at Central Networks, said: “I can’t stress the importance of teaching local children about the possible hazards electricity can have - throughout the UK around 120 children are injured in electricity-related incidents each year.

“The key here is that we get our important safety messages across – but in a fun way. The children who visit the bus have a great day out as well as learning key safety points.”

The bus has been in operation since 2001 and is specially designed to teach children about the hazards of electricity in an interesting and easy-to-understand way.

This year alone the bus has been out and about over 80 times, reaching close to 5,000 schoolchildren.

The Power Discovery Bus is a free educational resource for primary schools in the East Midlands Region. Anyone who would like the bus to visit a school, safety event or show can call 01332 39 38 49 or visit www.powerdiscoveryzone.com and follow the directions in the Teacher’s Zone.

ENDS

Notes to editors:
• The Power Discovery Bus visited:
- Shelton Infant School in Shelton Lock, Derby on Tuesday 30th November 2004;
- Cherry Tree Hill Junior School in Chaddesden, Derby on Wednesday 1st December 2004;
- North Wingfield Infant School, Chesterfield on Thursday 2nd December 2004;
• Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
• Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District to parts of Bristol and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For more information and pictures of the truck contact:
Kathy Doyle on 024 7642 4292
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer