CHILDREN from St George’s Church of England Academy and their families were encouraged to leave their cars at home and walk to school.

The Middleton St George school’s 326 pupils stepped out for Walk to School Week, becoming more active while helping to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

Ahead of the week-long initiative which ran from May 15 to 19, the children were provided with challenge packs with activity diaries, wall charts, pupil rewards and magnets.

The theme of the packs, from Living Streets, a charity which encourages people to walk more each day, was “city to seaside”.

Andrew Somerville, regional sales manager at Miller Homes North East, which sponsored the challenge packs at the school as it is building locally, said: “The walk to school allows children to enjoy their surroundings and really feel part of their community, which pupils were encouraged to do via fun and interactive challenge packs.

“Following the initiative we hope that this has inspired families to walk to school more often.”

For more information on Walk to School Week, including how to get involved next year, visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/walktoschool