VIGILANT pupils at St Boswells Primary School have received a special road safety award.

In memory of a therapy dog who helped promote road safety in the Scottish Borders, the Jon Chappell award has now been awarded for the second year.

Previously won by Melrose Primary School, junior road safety officers from St Boswells were presented with the award on May 16.

Robbie and Elyana received the Jon Chappell Memorial Shield for all the good work they have carried out to raise awareness of local road safety issues.

Springer Spaniel, Jon, accompanied owner Sheena Chappell to provide safety messages to hundreds of pupils across the Borders after he lost his leg in a road accident.

When Jon passed away in 2017, ex-police officer Sheena donated the shield for a new school competition to find the most original road safety campaign.

This year’s contest was launched at the Junior Road Safety Officers Conference for all primary schools.

Pupils had to create a log of all the road safety work they undertake during the year within their own school.

All entries were then judged by Police Scotland’s youth community officers, with St Boswells Primary chosen as this year’s winner.

Karen McGrath, part of Scottish Borders Council’s road safety team, said: “We have seen some fantastic work taking place across our schools.

“This includes primary one and two road safety assemblies, cycle safety education, drawing competitions and surveys of how pupils get to school.

“This is the second year of the Jon Chappell Memorial Shield and it is great way to celebrate all the good work going on in our schools.

“And to remember Jon, a special dog who had a powerful safety message.

“Congratulations to St Boswells Primary on winning the 2019 shield.”