The campaign is aimed at encouraging road safety

Organisers hope 50,000 children across the UK will take part in the "walking bus" campaign on road safety.

Eight children were killed on Scotland's roads last year, three more than in the previous 12 months.

Road safety charity Brake said it hopes the event will jolt drivers into action and promote road safety.

Adults leading the walking bus will be wearing fluorescent vests and the children will be waving placards.

About 60 pupils from St Brigid's Roman Catholic Primary School in Glasgow will be taking part in the walk, which is due to set off across the UK at 1000 BST on Wednesday.

Drivers must slow down in areas where children might be walking and cycling and at risk from traffic Mary Williams Brake

Local MSP Janice Hughes and police officer Craig Ritchie will act as official witnesses, verifying the world record attempt.

Gerard Healy, headteacher at St Brigid's, said the children were excited about taking part in the walk.

"We will be taking advantage of the event to teach them the skills they need to stay safe when walking near busy roads," he said.

'Safe routes'

"The action pack we received from Brake is full of lesson plans, posters and other road safety resources and we hope to make good use of them in lessons throughout the year."

Mary Williams, Brake chief executive, said she hopes the event will promote road safety and raise awareness among local drivers.

"Drivers must slow down in areas where children might be walking and cycling and at risk from traffic, such as around schools and homes," she said.

"Brake hopes this event will help schools teach children about walking safely and raise awareness among local drivers.

"But it's crucial the government does more to protect our children, by investing in safe routes to schools and 20mph speed limits near schools and residential areas."