There are thousands of road accidents each day

Children are being asked to nominate their nightmare road by Environmental group Transport 2000 and the Living Streets organisation.

The worst street will be announced in September, when the organisers will help the nominee demand action from their local authority.

They are calling on local authorities "to sit up and take notice and do more for pedestrians".

Name and shame

Transport 2000's Streets for People co-ordinator Julia Samson said during the Bank Holidays more young people were playing outside.

"It is time to take notice of just how many difficult roads there are for them to cross to get to parks, shops and playgrounds", she said.

"Busy or unsuitable traffic, fast vehicles, drivers who don't stop at zebra crossings and pelican crossings that don't give people enough time all create frustration, fear and danger", she continued.

Ms Samson said some of the worst roads did not have official crossings but even the ones with pelican or zebra crossings "could be perilous".

"This competition aims to shame local councils into doing something about it," she said.

In 2002, 2,095 children were killed or seriously injured crossing the road where there was no formal crossing.

A further 406 were killed or seriously injured crossing the road at or near a pedestrian crossing.

Living Streets director Tom Franklin said: "There are still pedestrian crossings near schools where you almost miss the green man if you blink.

"Walking to school is one of the best ways for kids to get the exercise they need to combat the obesity epidemic - but they're only going to walk if they can do so safely," Mr Franklin added.