CHILDREN from two schools took part in a musical march to classes yesterday morning.

Youngsters from Le Cateau and Wavell Primary, at Catterick Garrison, joined the Normandy Band on a musical journey to the gates.

Children who walked to Wavell, either from home or from a pick-up point half-a-mile away, were given a rousing reception as they arrived.

Older children then joined the band in full military dress and marched to Le Cateau, picking up pupils at their garden gates on the way.

The idea was to promote walking to school as a healthy alternative to the car - and both schools said the children enjoyed the experience.

"A lot of our children already walk, so this was a reward for them, really," said Wavell Junior School headteacher Cathy Greenaway.

"They were still buzzing at lunchtime - this is the sort of thing many of them will remember for the rest of their lives."

Le Cateau's deputy headteacher, Margaret Merall, said: "There is a lot of enthusiasm in the school for the idea of walking. Some of the children said they would like to march with the band every day. We are now hoping the project may help us resurrect the idea of a walking bus so more children can look at an alternative to the car.''