CHILDREN are stepping out on the walk to school in a drive to improve young people's health this week.

New walking buses, giant storybooks and village trails have all been devised as part of a national Walk to School Week drive, in County Durham.

The county is one of only five areas around the country selected to introduce the national campaign.

Children from Chester-le-Street Primary and nearby South Pelaw Infant schools set the ball rolling yesterday.

They have compiled their own jingle about how walking to school makes you healthier and fitter, while also proving more enjoyable than a car journey to the school gates.

Participating children are also building a giant jigsaw storybook on the theme of The Walk to School Adventure Story in their school playgrounds.

The baton will be passed on to Crook Primary School who will "park and stride" from a supermarket in the town to school, followed by a presentation about their journey, today.

Etherley Lane Primary School, in Bishop Auckland, takes up the theme, while pupils at Cotherstone Primary School, in Teesdale, go on a Tots on Tour observation trail round the village green, culminating with a picnic, both tomorrow.

Murton County Primary and Murton Jubilee Primary schools, in east Durham, go on an observation trail, led by Olympic swimming silver medallist Nick Gillingham, on Thursday.

There is a further Tots on Tour trail, from Craghead Children's Centre to Millennium Green, in Craghead, near Stanley, on Friday.

Councillor Bob Pendlebury, Durham County Council cabinet member for transport and sustainability, said: "The aim is to encourage children and parents to look at their local surroundings and use their own green spaces."