Walking to school...the way forward

Artwork competition at St. Anne's School, Royton supprting International Walk to School Month. Left to right, Edith Smith (4) overall winner, runners-up Cyrhas Marshall, Kiera Preston, Grace Holland.

DITCH the car and forget the bus because walking is the way forward for these children.

Pupils and staff from St Anne’s Primary School, Royton, put their best feet forward to celebrate International Walk to School month. Youngsters got to meet Strider, the Walk to School mascot, during the fun-filled morning that started with a celebration assembly.

They then took part in lessons to learn the benefits of walking and displayed their impressive artwork.

The campaign is a two-pronged attempt by charity Living Streets in the aim of making the streets safer and encouraging parents and pupils to take up walking to school.

Councillor Hugh McDonald, cabinet member for children, young people, families, leisure and culture, said: “By walking to school you are not only helping to improve fitness levels but also keeping vehicles off the street which improves the environment.

“It is also important that driverfs slow down near schools”