PUPILS at St Peter’s Primary School are flying the flag for cleaner air in Farnham after watching a Surrey County Council funded theatre production.

Year five pupils watched the performance which had a strong message about the benefits of walking to school.

The production, Abbie Ayre and the Shed of Science, was part of the Surrey Schools Air Quality Programme – a campaign that is being run by the county council in partnership with district and borough authorities through the Surrey Air Alliance.

Abbie Ayre and the Shed of Science was designed to encourage more pupils to walk or cycle to school, with the aim to reduce air pollution around schools.

As well as avoiding unnecessary car journeys, the county council’s campaign is encouraging families to consider a number of different steps.

These include motorists turning off their vehicle’s engine while stationary, using public transport and at school drop-off and pick-up times, parking a little further away and walking to the playground.

Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for environment, Mike Goodman, attended the performance and said: “It was great to visit the pupils to talk about pollution and they were all very interested.

“Improving air quality isn’t an easy task but if everyone plays their part and makes small changes, we can make a big difference.”

Wyatt Ramsdale, county councillor for Farnham South, was also in attendance along with Waverley Borough Council’s portfolio holder for environment, Andrew Bolton, and other Surrey representatives.

Mr Ramsdale said: “It was a really engaging performance with a clear message.

“My colleagues and I were impressed by the children’s knowledge and their enthusiasm for this important issue which impacts everyone’s lives, both now and for the future.”

Headteacher at St Peter’s, Sarah Dunning, said: “We are really grateful to Surrey County Council for enabling our pupils to watch this production.

“We already participate in the Living Streets initiative and many of our families walk to school. The number who ride a bike or scooter to school is also impressive. I’m sure the production will persuade more pupils to walk to school.

“Our pupils know about the global goals for sustainability and they understand how their choices and actions impact the environment.

“We shall encourage them to use their voice to remind adults about the harmful effects of unnecessary car journeys on the quality of the air.”

St Peter’s holds the Eco Award Silver level and is hoping to achieve the Green Flag Award in the near future.