CHILDREN have created permanent signs to mark a car exclusion zone around their school.

Pupils at Durham Gilesgate Primary School, in Durham City, have designed signs marking the boundary of a five-minute walking zone set up around the school.

Nine bright yellow signs have been prepared, to be erectled on the approaches to the school, featuring a blue hand with a "no entry" sign and a car.

The signs will alert drivers to the edge of the zone, which was the first of its kind to be set up in County Durham.

Headteacher Mark Turner said: "The five-minute walking zone was an idea from one of our pupils, and the pupils have had ownership in developing the zone and publicising it.

"It is a fine example of the positive contribution that our children are making to their school and local community.

"We are so pleased that permanent signs have now been erected to mark the boundaries of the zone and we are looking forward to seeing even more children walking to school."

The zone was set up with help from Durham County Council's school travel planning and road safety teams.

Councillor Bob Pendlebury, cabinet member for transport and sustainability, said: "The youngsters wanted to reduce pollution around school and enable everyone to walk for at least part of the journey to school.

"At first, the boundary was marked out with temporary signs, but it has been so successful in taking parents' cars away from the school and encouraging walking, that it was decided to create permanent signs."

Since it was set up, two more five-minute walking zones have been established, at Bullion Lane Primary School, in Chester-le-Street, and one joint zone, for St Joseph's RCVA Primary School and St Hild's College CE Primary School, Gilesgate, Durham.