LEAVING the car at home helps keep schoolchildren top of the form.

That's the verdict of headteacher Sue Gent, ahead of national Bike Week.

Road safety officials working with Middlesbrough Council are to offer week-long cycle proficiency training at Middlesbrough's Park End Primary School, from Monday.

Sue Gent said: "Encouraging children to cycle and helping them do so safely is important to us.

"It's a cheap and enjoyable way for children to get exercise and it teaches them to be independent and improves their self-confidence.

"We find that pupils who walk or cycle to school are more alert and concentrate better than those who travel by car.''

A cycle shelter has been installed at the school, bought with its travel plan grant allocation.