Portsmouth schools embrace walking challenge for pupilsÂ

Pupils from Ark Ayrton Primary Academy and St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary Schools signed up for the Walk to School Challenge, which started last month and runs until November 16.

The scheme's success over the past few years has seen seven Portsmouth schools sign up and almost 1,300 children take part.

Pupils who do the Portsmouth City Council-run scheme receive a free pack, a pedometer and stomp chart.

Anne Hibberd, headteacher at Ark Ayrton Primary Academy, said: '˜One of our priorities is to teach the children how to have healthy bodies, lifestyles and minds.

'˜The Walk to School Challenge promotes exercise and demonstrates how walking to school or part of the way to school each day can have a positive impact on physical and mental health.'

Parents who do not have time to walk all the way are being encouraged to park a short distance from the school and then walk.

Councillor Lynne Stagg, cabinet member for traffic and transport, said: '˜This is a wonderful initiative which teaches children in a fun way the benefits of walking, cycling or scooting to school.

'˜The schools have really embraced the challenge.'