YOUNGSTERS are being urged to support a campaign to promote cycling to school this week.

Pupils from primary and secondary schools in Hartlepool are being encouraged to take part in Bike to School Week which ends in the town today.

The event has been organised by Hartlepool Borough Council as part of its attempts to encourage cycling to school by pupils in year six and above.

A number of schools have developed School Travel Plans - blueprints for promoting walking, cycling and the use of public transport.

"Cars cause a lot of congestion outside many of our schools and their exhaust fumes contribute to air pollution, which can have an adverse effect on pupils' health," said Robert Snowball, Hartlepool council's travel plan assistant.

"We would urge parents and carers to actively consider alternative forms of travel, of which cycling is one."

The council has also organised a competition to mark the initiative. The primary and secondary school with the highest proportion of pupils cycling to school will each win cycle equipment storage lockers for youngsters to use.