MORE than 1,000 young pupils marched for road safety from the gates of their primary schools in Cheshire West as part of a national Giant Walking Bus.

Whitby Heath Primary and Wolverham Primary, in Ellesmere Port, were among the schools taking part in the record-breaking walking bus campaign, organised by road safety charity Brake to raise awareness of the dangers of traffic, promote walking, and raise funds to provide care for crash victims.

Children wearing hi-vis vests marched in processions, carrying banners challenging everyone to change the way they travel to school and to say ‘no’ to driving fast on local roads.

The campaign is also trying to encourage more parents and children to walk to school each day rather than using their cars.

Councillor Lynn Riley, executive member for localities, said: “The majority of children today are driven to school, which has long term implications to both personal health and the environment as well as adding to traffic congestion on the school run and outside the school gates.

“Walking is healthier for everyone and a safer alternative to using the car around our busy schools.

“This is a wonderful event that shows there are alternatives to the car.

“We should all be encouraged to see so many schools wanting to step up to the challenge to beat the current record and to raise funds for a charity that does so much to promote road safety and help those who have been involved in an accident.”

The event was supported by CWaC Road Safety Officers and Cheshire Constabulary PCSOs who visited schools taking part and walked alongside the children in support of the work of Brake and to help beat the record for the biggest Giant Walking Bus.