FAMILIES living in a Blackwood street have launched a campaign to make their road safer - after a youngster was involved in a crash there.

People living in Morrison Street say it is only a matter of time before a child is seriously injured or killed if no action is taken to reduce the number of vehicles using the road.

They started a petition following an accident on the road last weekend, when a nine-year-old boy was involved in a collision with a car.

The driver of the car involved in last week's accident was not speeding, and Blackwood police confirmed no-one was arrested in connection with the collision.

Corey Westwood, of Pontllanfraith, was staying with his grandmother, Sandra Taylor, and was playing outside her house when the accident happened.

"It was a huge shock. He was taken to the hospital with a cut to his head and he had to have four stitches in his leg, which had been cut by glass," said Mrs Taylor.

"We are relieved that he is all right, but this has shaken everyone up."

Resident Jill McGovern, a mother of two, started the campaign following the accident.

So far the petition, which calls for traffic-calming measures such as road humps, has been signed by 125 people.

Mrs McGovern said a lot of traffic uses the street as a short cut to the town, including some taxis, buses and lorries, as well as the so-called 'boy racers' who constantly drive through Blackwood.

"A lot of them come up here - it is frightening," she said.

"This is the fourth accident we have had here and there have been many near- misses as well. When the accident happened the other day I honestly thought that it was my son, Kyle, who is eight. I was really panicking. Corey is OK now, but he has been very lucky."

The petition will be presented to Caerphilly council by Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge, who is supporting the residents.

* Pictured, Cory Westwood, nine, who was involved in a crash on Morrison Streeet, Blackwood, pictured with his grandma Sandra Taylor, right, and aunt Leanne Lewis and her son Dylan, 18 months