Around 56% of primary pupils in Darlington walk to school

Darlington Council's Town on the Move team has joined forces with the Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) to launch Walk to School Week on Monday.

Every primary school child in the town has been invited to take part and schools will monitor how many keep walking in the following six weeks.

Certificates will be awarded to pupils who sign up to the initiative.

Around 56% of primary pupils in Darlington walk to school every day but the campaign aims to encourage more children to join in.

'Physical benefits'

Those who walk every day during Walk To School Week and continue walking for the first week after the Spring Bank holiday will be rewarded with a free swim at The Dolphin Centre.

Computer software will be presented to the school with the biggest increase in young walkers, and also to the school with the highest percentage of children walking.

Ruth Brown, the PCT's Healthy Lifestyles Officer, said: "Walking to school has a host of benefits for children both physically and mentally.

"The children arrive at school invigorated and are ready to concentrate on their lessons. It's also a lot of fun for them mixing with their friends before school starts."