KERRY Williams knows all too well about child car seat safety - and she's backing an Assembly drive starting today, to advise parents on their secure fitting.

After a narrow escape for her and two-year-old son Scott in an accident nearly nine years ago, the Gwent mother-of-two and businesswoman invented a safety cover to prevent little hands from tampering with car seat buckles.

Mrs Williams, from Victoria Road, Abersychan, has joined the Cardiff launch of the initiative, which coincides with United Kingdom Child Safety Week.

Road safety experts will be out and about in Wales advising parents on the safe fitting of child car seats.

Research has revealed that unrestrained children involved in vehicle collisions at 30 miles per hour can be catapulted forward at a force equivalent to half a rugby scrum - that's around 50 stones in weight - collapsing on them.

Nearly 200 babies and toddlers are killed or seriously injured UK-wide every year in car accidents, most on local journeys at low speeds.

"I urge parents to make sure their children are safely restrained in suitable car seats that are fitted correctly," said Mrs Williams, whose £4.99 Safeclip device is being sold through Halfords stores in the UK.

It was October 1996 when Mrs Williams was involved in head-on collision in Cwmbran, her car spinning out of control and hitting a barrier on the opposite side of the road.

* A new guide advising on the correct fitting of child car seats will be launched this week to coincide with the Assembly's initiative. Information is available at www.childcarseats.org.uk or www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/advice/childcarseats.htm