CLACKMANNANSHIRE families are being encouraged to ditch the car and take a stroll on Walk to School Week from Monday.

A free, easy and accessible way for children to squeeze some vital physical activity into their day, walking can ensure youngsters remain fit and healthy. It is expected that thousands of pupils will take part in the week around Scotland.

Chris Thompson, from Living Streets Scotland, explained: “Parents and carers find the journey to school less stressful and that they - and their children - feel healthier and happier when they are able to walk to school.

“Over the past decades, the number of children who walk to school in Scotland has been falling. However, many of the primary schools in Clackmannanshire are now participating in successful walk to school schemes like the Living Streets’ WoW Scotland, Walk once a Week, which is encouraging increased levels of walking, cycling and scooting to school."

Banchory, Clackmannan, Craigbank, Fishcross, Redwell, Strathdevon and Sunnyside Primary Schools are all actively using the WoW Travel Tracker, where children can log their daily journey to school online.

Walking to school also gives kids an opportunity to learn road safety skills and arrive at school feeling alert and ready to learn.

In addition, when youngsters walk there are fewer cars on the roads, which reduces air pollution and congestion, making roads safer for all.