A POKÉMON game is a 'major risk' to pedestrians say Worcestershire's road safety experts.

The hit mobile phone game Pokémon Go could pose a risk to the safety of those playing the game especially near roads say the Safer Roads Partnership in Warwickshire and West Mercia.

Using social media or some Apps on mobile phones and similar devices when walking near roads is a major distraction for pedestrians says the partnership.

Over the past five years in West Mercia and Warwickshire 65 pedestrians have been killed and a further 475 seriously injured.

The largest percentage of pedestrian casualty figures are those under the age of 20; with the biggest majority in the 11-15 age group.

Although not all of these are attributed to pedestrian distraction, using this kind of personal technology is a big concern nationally for road safety professionals.

Both forces are urging pedestrians to ‘stay alert to traffic’ and to avoid using phones or other similar devices when crossing the road or walking near traffic.

Parents are also being asked to talk to their children about the dangers of not paying attention to traffic.

Vicki Bristow, communications manager for the Safer Roads Partnership, said: “The popularity of smart phones and tablets, in particular Apps such as Pokémon Go, presents a major risk to pedestrian safety.

"It’s not uncommon to see pedestrians so completely absorbed in their phones that they are entirely oblivious to where they are and what’s going on around them.

"If you are focused on using your phone whilst trying to cross the road you can’t be fully aware of traffic so we are urging people when they are out and about using the road network give traffic your full attention – it’s not worth the risk.”