Bradford: Mayor launches early years walk to school scheme

Miss Bhambra, assistant headteacher at Lapage Primary School, said walking to school "gives children the best possible start to the day"

A scheme to encourage children as young as two years old to walk to school has been launched in West Yorkshire.

The early years walking programme was launched by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin at an assembly at Lapage Primary School and Nursery in Bradford.

The £55,000 programme aims to encourage families at 30 nurseries and schools to walk to and from school.

Organisers said they wanted families to commit to "healthy travel and positive habits which could last a lifetime".

Ms Brabin said she was delighted to launch the programme which would "help families in West Yorkshire reap the benefits of walking"

Ms Brabin said: "We know that small changes to our travel - like ditching the car to walk to nursery - can have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing.

"Walking can help save money, tackle congestion and address the climate emergency."

Ms Brabin will be joined by representatives from the walking charity Living Streets and children and teachers taking part in the programme from the school.

Miss Bhambra, assistant headteacher at Lapage Primary School, said the walking challenge would empower children "to make healthy choices and do their bit to look after their local environment."

The school is one of the first places to benefit from the scheme, with more than 50 children taking part in a special assembly to celebrate the launch.

Officials said West Yorkshire was one of the first regions in the UK to launch a dedicated early years walking programme.