HAMPSHIRE County Council is encouraging parents and carers to leave the car at home during Walk to School Week and join the 94,000 pupils already signed up to the initiative.

Walking to school is a great way for children to start the day. It can help them to be more active and arrive at school more alert, improving general health and well-being, while at the same time easing congestion at the school gates at busy times.

It can also help teach children lifelong road-safety skills as they learn from their parents and carers how to cross roads and be aware of cars and cyclists.

Some 94,000 schoolchildren across the county are expected to take part in Walk to School Week, with almost 400 schools in Hampshire showing their support. The aim of the national initiative is to encourage as many schoolchildren and their families as possible to walk to school, or at least part of the way.

A number of ‘led walks’ to schools will be taking place and all children taking part in Walk to School Week will receive a log book, certificate and stickers.

Walk to School Week, which runs from May 15-19, is the initiative of national charity Living Streets. According to the charity, by walking to school, parents say they find the journey to school less stressful, their petrol bill goes down, their children perform better at school, and both they and their children feel healthier and fitter.