PUPILS at a village primary are arriving at school on a bus with difference.

The first "walking bus'' in County Durham was launched at Pittington Primary School. on Monday.

The walking bus involves children walking in pairs the quarter of a mile to and from the village community centre to the school, led by an adult "driver" and with a "conuctor" at the rear.

The idea originated from Hertfordshire and was implemented at Pittington to cut down congestion caused by parents driving their children to and from school.

The head of the 220-pupil school, Roly Metcalfe, said: "It has gone very well and has exceeded demand.

"We have not got enough tabards to go round.

"We ordered 20 and there were 30 children turned up today.

Mr Metcalfe said the result of the walking bus was that there were about 15 fewer cars than usual in front of the school.

And, he said, local residents said they had noticed the difference.

Mr Metcalfe said parents endorsed the scheme and there had been no dissenting voices.

He said: "There is another route we were looking at, and still are, but it needs some road works before we can take that on."

The bus "driver" and "conductor "were trained by Durham County Council road safety officer Jeff Gray.

The county council also provided the tabards worn by the children taking part.

He said: "In addition to improved safety and reducing congestion, walking to school also provides other benefits such as improved health and mental awareness.

"It develops the children's skills, knowledge and experience of using the roads.

"It is hoped that other schools throughout the county will carry out similar schemes as part of the Safer Routes to School initiative.''

Traffic calming measures are also to be introduced outside the Pittington school.