PUPILS are getting ready to step back in time as part of a campaign to encourage more children to walk and cycle to school.

On Friday, pupils at Alderman Leach Primary School will be aiming to go back to Eighties habits - when only one in six young people travelled to school by car, compared to one in four today.

The event, which will see pupils wear Eighties fancy dress, will launch Darlington's Great Swapathon, part of the NHS's Change4Life scheme.

The national campaign aims to get families to make small changes to their lives to become more healthy.

The campaign will include four organised walks for families with children at Alderman Leach Primary School.

Families are being encouraged to join one of the walks instead of driving to school on Friday, hopefully, leaving the school entrance virtually carfree.

David Lyonette, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for transport, said: "Walking and cycling to school are excellent ways for families to gain the physical and mental health benefits of outdoor exercise together, while fitting into normal daily routines.

"For those families who live further away, taking the bus or parking a few minutes from school and walking the last part means that they can still join in.

"Just getting out of the car for the final five minutes of the journey to school will help.

"It's all about making small changes to your life that will help families become more active and healthy."