YOUNGSTERS braved the cold this week to join the launch of their school's walking bus.
Fifteen of Shincliffe Primary School's 211 pupils joined the crocodile, led by volunteer parents, that walked from an old layby in Whitwell Acres to the school in Beal Walk, High Shincliffe.
Headteacher Pauline Bulman said one of the aims was to discourage parents from parking in the cul-de-sac leading to the school.
"Forty-five per cent of our children do not live in High Shincliffe or Shincliffe and are brought to school by car.
"The idea is to encourage parents to park further from the school and avoid causing problems for residents.
"We had about 15 children and hopefully it will encourage other parents to consider their children joining the group.''
Sam, the cartoon character mascot that promotes walking to school in County Durham, greeted the children on the scheme's first day.
Mrs Bulman added that pupils had to be registered with the scheme, as health and safety rules mean there has to be a certain ratio of adult supervisors to children.
Parents leading the children also had to be cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau.
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