A SCHOOL project to encourage children to walk, scoot or ride to school received a boost thanks to the help of a superhero.

Youngsters from Woodland Primary School, Bishop Auckland, ended the term with a MEGA Motion competition to decide which cartoon character would accompany them to school.

Pupil, Billy McCaskill, 9, won the contest by writing a story about his adventures of scooting to school with MEGA Boy and MEGA Girl - and for his prize he asked Spiderman to present a special school assembly about the benefits of healthy lifestyles.

The scheme, run by Durham County Council, is part of its Local Motion campaign, which promotes sustainable transport across South Durham. Children are encouraged to find alternatives to travelling by car as part of a wider education programme.

As well as doing fun walks on the theme of heroes and villains, the children have earned points every time they use sustainable transport with the winner becoming a MEGA Hero by the end of the year.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “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.”