SPECIAL seat belt covers are being given to neurodivergent children in the Tenbury area to help emergency responders provide appropriate support.

The seat belt covers will contain a contact card with key information, so frontline workers know how to support individuals with conditions such as autism and ADHD.

Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils have teamed up with West Mercia Police's Autism and Neurodiversity Network for the scheme called Project Treasure, which covers part of Worcestershire including Tenbury.

Deputy Chief Constable Richard Cooper said: "“Emergency responders are called to all sorts of different incidents. What is common to all of them is that people are involved who need our help.

"These seat belt covers will assist us in considering the individual person we are helping and I am grateful to everyone who has committed time to making them a reality."

Project Treasure will see 500 seat belt covers provided to children across the districts.

Malvern Hills District Council member Natalie McVey said: "We are so pleased to be able to support this amazing project which will give that peace of mind to parents and carers.

"The covers will give emergency workers important information to enable them to provide the life-saving care that may be needed."

Inspector Fergus Green added: "We're going to be working with special educational needs schools to distribute these covers. But even the public can now apply for a cover. If you are a parent or guardian of a neurodivergent child, visit the council's website. There, you will find a short form to assess eligibility. If this pilot scheme goes well, we hope to extend it to the rest of West Mercia."

The covers will be distributed to special education providers, but residents can apply for a seatbelt cover by visiting www.malvernhills.gov.uk/project-treasure

With the project also running in Wychavon, Councillor Rob Adams of Wychavon District Council said: “We are proud to be a part of this important project which will support people affected by neurodivergent conditions. It’s great to fund such crucial work to better support our community at a time of need.”