PUPILS hope that the grounds of their schools will be a blaze of colour in the spring after planting daffodil bulbs.

Youngsters at Belmont Infant and Belmont C of E Junior schools were given the bulbs by the nearby B & Q DIY store, on the Durham Retail Park, from were the children and parents recently walked to school to mark International Walk to School Month.

When daffodils bloom in the spring they will provide a reminder of the health and environmental benefits of leaving the car behind on the school run.

Local Durham county councillor Kenneth Holroyd will join staff from B & Q to help the children plant the bulbs on Wednesday.

Like the schools, the store has a travel plan for staff.

Store manager Andy Watson said: "Travel plans bring many benefits to individuals, communities and businesses and can improve our environment for the future by changing the way we travel.

"Both school travel plans and workplace travel plans encourage more people to walk, cycle, car-share and use public transport."

Councillor Bob Pendlebury, the county council's cabinet member for transport and sustainability, said: "It's important to teach our young people about caring for the environment and their own health.

"When the daffodils bloom in the spring they will act as a very colourful reminder that walking to school is a great way of keeping fit for children and parents as well as being environmentally friendly."