PUPILS from Coundon joined 100,000 pupils across the UK by taking part in an initiative to make the streets safer for walking and cycling.

St Joseph’s RC Primary School took part in a giant walking bus, which was co-ordinated by road safety charity Brake, together with webuyanycar.com.

The event aims to give children a voice, calling on drivers and the Government to make their streets safer for walking and cycling, to enable them to live healthy, active lifestyles.

A survey by the charity found that across the North-East, 72 per cent of students would like to walk or cycle more. However, 60 per cent fear they might be run over when walking or cycling on roads.

Drivers and the Government are being urged to take action to make streets safer for children and help them enjoy a healthy, active, happy childhood, by backing Brake’s GO 20 campaign.

Madeleine Brown, headteacher at St Joseph’s RC Primary School, said: “We’re delighted to be taking part in Brake’s giant walking bus. It’s a fantastic opportunity for kids to make their voices heard and promote road safety to children, parents and local drivers.”

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said: “The kids marching for safer roads in Bishop Auckland and across the UK today should send a clear message to everyone - kids want to be able to get out and walk and cycle, and by not making our streets safe, we are denying them the fun, active childhoods they deserve.”