WEE COUNTY schools have been celebrating national Walk to School Week with a series of organised walks to school for pupils and their families

Every morning the pupils would walk before receiving a healthy breakfast when they arrive.

The project was kickstarted by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, as a chance to celebrate all the benefits that come from being active and healthy.

Families from Muckhart Primary School and Alva Primary School were joined on the walks by Strider, Living Streets' famous mascot.

Both schools currently take part in WOW – the year-round walk to school challenge.

Children who walk to school at least once a week are rewarded with collectable badges with the idea said to increase walking rates by 23 per cent on average, with a corresponding drop in cars around the school gates.

Staff and children at both primary schools have been working hard to get active on the school run, helping them to stay healthy and reduce congestion outside the school gates.

The week aims to encourage families who don't usually walk to school to give it a go and see the benefits they experience.

Allison Littlejohns, headteacher at Alva PS, said: "We are committed to promoting active travel at Alva Primary and have arranged the walks as part of Living Streets' Walk to School Week campaign.

"Alva will be benefiting from improved pedestrian facilities in the area soon, which will include improved routes to school to help make walking and cycling easier.

"We are supporting these improvements by encouraging healthy and safe ways to travel to and from school.

"We want to encourage parents to leave their cars at home or consider Park and Stride, and walk with pupils to and from school regularly."

Rebecca Simpson, project manager with Living Streets Scotland, added: "This May we want to get the whole of Scotland taking to their feet and celebrating the benefits of moving more.

"These schools are a fantastic example of what can be achieved from small steps."

Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking has been running National Walking Month for eight years.

This year, they have launched their #nine90 campaign calling for streets to be designed with nine-year olds and 90-year olds in mind, as then they become accessible to everyone.

Find out more about Living Streets' National Walking Month at livingstreets.org.uk/nwm