THOUSANDS of children have been getting into step for national Walk to School Week.

Every child in reception and Year One classes across East Cleveland was given high-visibility Walk to School tabards to wear for this week's event.

Promotional posters were being displayed in every primary and junior school throughout the district.

Coun Eric Empson, of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said: "We are trying to make walking to school a fun and healthy exercise, and, of course, it has got lots of other benefits.

"It cuts down on the number of cars on the road, reduces the problems of parking near schools and improves the school environment with less pollution, all adding up to healthier lifestyles."

Only 12 per cent of children were taken to school by car in Britain in the mid-Seventies, whereas half the country's primary school pupils now travel by car.