Christmas has come early for some of the Island's lucky youngsters thanks to the kindness of a Good Samaritan.

For on Friday night, Police officers were in Hamilton to dish out free bicycle lights to any children spotted riding in the dark.

The idea, designed to increase road safety awareness in the young, was the brainchild of Valerie Wallace, of Astwood Road, Paget.

She was inspired to do something about the problem after seeing countless youngsters riding without lights.

She decided to look for sponsors and try to raise enough money to buy some safety lights. Mrs. Wallace was eventually able to get 40 sets of bike lights and batteries thanks to donations from the Bermuda Electric Light Company, Winners Edge, BGA and the Hamilton Ice Queen. Paediatrician Dr. Bente Lundh also made a donation. Mrs. Wallace also got advice from the Road Safety Council and Police.

"After seeing all the children riding without lights, I just thought it would be something I'd like to do one day,'' Mrs. Wallace said. "I thought that if ever I had $1,000 I'd spend it buying some lights. Well I haven't got $1,000 but I'm leaving the Island next week and I wanted to do something.'' Police were only giving the free lights out, along with advice on road safety, to children who volunteered to stop.

"Many young people are developing principles in life such as whether the Police are good or bad at an early age,'' Mrs. Wallace said. "If they get stopped by the Police and get a telling off that's something negative but in this situation they are going to have a positive experience -- getting something free from the Police.'' MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK -- Valerie Wallace and Parish Constable Rohan McGregor Moore get ready to hand out bicycle lights to youngsters.

CHILDREN CLD