A HEALTHY youngster and her classmates were accompanied to school by a knight in shining armour.

Neive Hinder was joined on the walk to the Timothy Hackworth Primary School, in Shildon, by Sir Walkalot and Squire Route.

The nine-year-old won the prize through Durham County Council’s Mega Motion scheme and her special guests were members of the Histrionics group.

The Mega Motion campaign urges youngsters to walk, cycle or scoot to school in a bid to encourage healthy lifestyles.

Pupils earn points each time they use a healthy option to get to school and those who earn the most points get to choose a themed walk.

The latest theme was Heroes and Villans and Neive dressed up as a fearsome Viking as she joined Sir Walkalot and Squire Route on the walk to the school in Byerley Road.

Sir Walkalot also held a special school assembly to highlight the benefits of healthy ways of getting to school.

The pupils were also regaled with fun stories of the knight’s dragon-fighting escapades.

Councillor Neil Foster, the council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Mega Motion is a brilliant scheme.

“It helps our children to stay healthy and teaches them all about environmentally friendly ways of travel from a young age.”