A WALKING bus scheme has been launched in a North-East town as part of a drive to improve the safety of school children.

The innovative scheme serving St Bega's School on the Headland, in Hartlepool, was unveiled earlier this week.

It gives pupils the chance to take advantage of the health and safety benefits of walking to and from school under the supervision of trained helpers.

The walking bus is only one element of a school travel plan being prepared for St Bega's, which aims to reduce traffic congestion outside the school and improve the safety of pupils.

Karen Wilkinson, school travel plan co-ordinator for Hartlepool Borough Council, said: "We have launched this walking bus as a pilot scheme and eventually we hope to expand the idea to other schools across the town.

"Hopefully, this will help to reduce traffic congestion outside the school. It also means the pupils get around 30 minutes exercise and they arrive at school much more awake and aware.

"The walking bus operates like any other bus. It has a conductor, driver, passengers and even bus stops along the route."

The route is almost a mile long and 22 pupils have registered. The scheme is being backed by SJS Engineering, a local firm which is providing fluorescent tabards for the children.

Headteacher Michael Cooney said they had noticed that children travelling on the walking bus were arriving fresher than usual