Pupils put their best foot forward

Schools in Torbay have taken a positive step forward in their efforts to encourage pupils to walk to school.

Several Torbay primary schools recorded their walks during one week, using stickers and wall charts. These were later analysed, with digital cameras awarded to three schools -- Ellacombe Primary School, which recorded an amazing 77 per cent of pupils walking to school during the week, and Watcombe and Chestnut Primary Schools, which both recorded more than 70 per cent.

Primary and special schools in Torbay are each being given 50 reflective tabards to use for "walking buses" and for activities such as walking trips to local areas.

Cabinet Member for Transport and Planning, Cllr Chris Lewis, said: "It is very encouraging that our local schools are keen to support the Walk to School initiative. I would like to thank everyone who took part, and in particular my congratulations go to the three schools that returned such impressive figures.

"We hope that schools will continue to make good use of the reflective tabards, and we are grateful to local suppliers DS Safety who are distributing the tabards free of charge on our behalf to the schools. These tabarads are important for road safety as they make sure that children can be seen by other road users."

Cllr Christine Scouler said: "As Children's Be Healthy Champion, I very much welcome any initiative that encourages healthy activities amongst our school children. Walking to and from school is a very good example of this, and I am pleased that this annual event has once again been so successful."