Bus stops in parts of Essex will be displaying personal safety messages over the festive season.

On Friday and Saturday nights, from December 12 to the end of the month, the digital signs designed to show bus times will also display messages aimed at late-night revellers.

The initiative has been organised by Sergeant Matt Mallett who has worked in partnership Essex Traffic Control at Essex County Council. This is the second time the scheme has run; the pilot ran during the month of April 2009.

Sgt Mallett said: "We are constantly looking for innovative and creative ways of getting crime reduction and community safety messages across to people, particularly during the evening and night-time.

"We chose to use bus stops as they are a popular meeting place at the end of a night out. The digital displays are an ideal opportunity to get these messages across to people," he explained.

The messages will run between 9am and 4am and will display a different message each week.

The first message to be displayed will be 'Be festive, safe and sensible.' Further messages – 'Drink sensibly for festive cheers not festive tears and 'Don't drink and drive' will be shown over the coming weeks.