PUPILS at Sunnyside Primary School were celebrating last week after winning a county-wide creative competition.

To mark International Walk to School Month, Clackmannanshire Council has been running a contest with help from Living Streets Scotland, the charity responsible for WOW – the year-round walk to school programme.

Students were asked to design an eye-catching WOW noticeboard and Sunnyside Primary successfully incorporated Strider, the Living Streets mascot, and active travel information into theirs.

They were awarded a bumper hamper of active travel goodies, cycle maintenance sessions and were even treated to a special visit from Strider himself.

Carlyn Fraser from Clackmannanshire Council said: "I am absolutely delighted that we will soon have all Clackmannanshire Schools participating in WOW and we wanted to celebrate and reward them for their success.

"Schools have seen some huge benefits in increased active travel and the resulting reduction of school gate congestion."

Donna Cromb, schools associate with Living Streets Scotland, added: "WOW is simple to run and pupils love to take part - just a few minutes of a teacher’s day is all it takes to make a big difference.

"This celebration is a fantastic way to mark the end of a month of moving more. Even though International Walk to School Month is drawing to a close, we hope pupils continue taking to two feet and enjoying the many benefits walking brings."

WOW rewards children who walk to school at least once a week with collectable badges.

It has been shown to increase walking rates and reduce the number of cars around the school gates – helping reduce congestion and air pollution whilst ensuring children are more active.