THE Government has allocated £1m to help North Yorkshire's schools encourage parents not to use cars for the school run.

A total of 200 schools across the county will each get up to £12,000 to introduce facilities including new bike sheds and bus shelters.

The money will be distributed by North Yorkshire County Council.

Councillor Clare Wood, the authority's executive member for environmental services, said the cash was new money from central government for schools with a travel plan outlining alternatives to using the car for the school run.

She said: "The cash will help bring back state-of-the-art cycle parking facilities, bus shelters and new footpath entrances.

"The county council's school travel awareness team and the schools themselves have done a fantastic job and I am so pleased to see their efforts rewarded.

"It's never going to be easy walking or cycling to school in North Yorkshire, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do it. It just means we have to try harder."

One innovative scheme will provide a waiting shelter for those who walk to school.

The measure will mean parents waiting for their children in the rain will not have to huddle in doorways, resenting those in their heated cars, said the council's travel awareness officer, Geoff Gardner.

Schools to benefit from the money include Richmond School, Stokesley School, Easingwold School, Northallerton College, Thirsk School, and Bedale High School.

Mr Gardner said walking or cycling to school benefited children's health and helped to reduce traffic congestion.

"The best schools are doing things like legitimising the hole in the fence and making it easier for children to walk to school," he said.

"Bike sheds are making a return as well, although they are now made out of clear perspex.

"And for rural schools where parents have to use the car, we are encouraging the adoption of a five-minute zone. Parents can park the car five minutes away and then walk the rest of the route."

The council hopes to encourage the county's 200 schools to introduce a travel plan and qualify for grants.