HUNDREDS of primary school pupils in Darlington will walk to school today wearing bright yellow safety jackets.

It marks the start of National Walk to School Week and to mark the event Darlington Borough Council has provided 9,000 reflective jackets to 30 primary schools in the borough, to make youngsters more visible to motorists during their journey to and from school during the winter.

Nick Wallis, the council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Every year hundreds of pupils from Darlington take part in Walk to School Week. The event is important because it stresses the benefits of pupils walking safely to school, and it acts as a reminder to parents to leave their cars at home."