CHILDREN in Sedgefield took to the high seas on their way to school last week.

Pupils dressed as pirates and other characters to walk to Sedgefield Primary School on Friday (June 6) as part of the MEGA Motion campaign to promote healthy lifestyles.

Elisa Cabanes-Bouveng, 11, chose the Pirate Y’arrrhh Without The Car theme for the event.

As well as themed walks, pupils earn points every time they use sustainable travel to get to school, aiming to collect enough points to become MEGA heroes by the end of the year.

MEGA Motion is part of the wider Local Motion campaign which promotes sustainable transport throughout south Durham.

The Durham County Council-backed campaign encourages children to walk, scoot or ride to school to make them aware of the health and environmental benefits from an early age.

Coun Neil Foster, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “MEGA Motion is a brilliant scheme, helping our children to stay healthy and teaching them all about environmentally friendly ways of travel from a young age.

"It’s great to see the kids enjoy such a memorable day and we’d like to wish them all good luck in their quest to become MEGA Heroes."