The show which raises laughs and save lives

Pioneering road safety show presented by the much-loved Olly Day celebrates its 850th school visit

It is a record-breaking show which has helped to keep tens of thousands of Norfolk boys and girls safe over the years –and raised plenty of laughs along the way.

The Olly Day Road Safety Show has become part of life in schools across the city and county for almost 20 years and, with our roads busier than ever before, the message is more important than ever. Olly, one of Norfolk's most popular entertainers and a star of the Christmas show at Cromer Pavilion, has just passed the 850 mark – the number of times the show has been staged in schools across the city and county.

'I still get a real thrill out of doing it. It's good fun with a serious message,' said Olly.

'The show has reached more than 150,000 boys and girls. I don't think there is a child in Norwich who hasn't seen it over the past 19 years,' he added. 'I am now performing to the second generation of some families.'

Lasting almost an hour, the non-stop all-action magic and comedy show aimed at primary and junior schools covers all aspects of road safety in a way the children remember. 'It deals with everything from stop, look and listen and be bright at night, to the importance of wearing seat belts and cycle helmets. I have two young children of my own, Eleanor, 14, and George, who is eight. I am passionate about safety,' said Olly. 'It's a great show and I still get such a thrill doing it. You have to make it good. I try to get the children laughing from the start, then they relax and take in all the serious messages that we have to get across,' he added. The show is a highlight of the school year, as you can see from these photographs taken by our photographer, Bill Smith, when he called into Chapel Break School, Norwich.

These youngsters won't forget Olly and his friends – and they will remember his wise words.