14 September 2006 00:00 Power Discovery Trucks go back to school with a new school uniform

As thousands of children across the Midlands go back to school, a new and exciting classmate awaits them.

Central Networks’ Power Discovery Trucks have a brand new school uniform and will be going around schools in the East and West Midlands to teach youngsters about electricity and the potential dangers associated with it.

The new look trucks have been specially designed by Central Networks, the electricity distributor for central England and part of E.ON UK, to be both fun and educational.

Anita Davis, Central Networks’ Network and Public Safety Adviser explained: “A new colourful character called Sparky guides youngsters around the trucks in our teaching material and shows them what dangers to look out for and what to do in an emergency.

“Children can play with the interactive displays and games and have a go at the quizzes on the truck, as well as spotting potential dangers in ‘Hazard Valley’ – a large model landscape featuring countryside and urban scenes.

“Across the UK over 350 people, many of them children, are hurt each year through the misuse of electricity, so we really want the kids to understand the dangers involved.

“We hope these new look trucks will prove to be a big hit with youngsters and teachers alike.”

The Power Discovery Trucks are a free educational resource for primary schools across the Midlands region.

Anyone who would like one to visit their 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. Teachers can also find out about our children’s poster competition from the website.

Ends
Notes to editors:
• Central Networks, which is part of E.ON UK, is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.9 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 in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information contact:
Jane Branscombe on 024 7618 3681
Photo available showing “school boy” truck drivers Derek Whitehead and Dave Hodgkisson with the newly refurbished Power Discovery Zone trucks.