A NEW safety scheme has been launched to make sure children do not stray from their parents at the Swindon Designer Outlet.

The shopping centre has introduced a wristband which can be worn by youngsters as they walk around the shops.

The wristband will include parents' contact numbers so that if a child wanders off they can be contacted quickly.

Posters have also been placed around the outlet with the centre security number for parents to call in the event of them becoming separated from their child.

The outlet has teamed up with local police and the not-for-profit organisation Child Safe Zones to launch the new safety scheme.

PC Damon Thorne of Wiltshire Police said: "The idea of the Child Safe scheme is to help relieve some of the panic that a child and their parents go through in those terrible moments after realising they are lost.

"It is a horrible feeling that I'm sure all parents can relate to, but hopefully this new scheme will help to reunite them as quickly as possible."

Nick Williams, marketing manager at Swindon Designer Outlet, said: "The outlet has more than a million visitors every year and their safety is paramount.

"This scheme is a great way to build on our existing safety procedures, which includes full centre CCTV coverage and gives further reassurance to parents that their child is safe while they are at the outlet."