PARENTS are being encouraged to walk their children to school this week to improve their health and the environment.

Coun Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: "We know that walking even part of the way to school has significant benefits on the health of children and parents and the environment.

"With increasing time pressures on those looking after children, it can be difficult to fit socialising into a busy schedule.

"The walk to school enables parents to make new friends and catch upon the news in an easy and informal way. It also helps to reduce the congestion outside the school gate."

He said walking one mile in 20 minutes used up as much energy as running a mile in 10 minutes, swimming breast stroke for 10 minutes or cycling for 16 minutes.

Guidelines have also been issued to ensure children's safety when walking to school:

Use the safest route and always use safe crossing places

Hold hands with younger children and keep them on the inside of the pavement

Teach them to stop at the kerb, look and listen for traffic, and explain how to cross between parked cars.

Two schools have suggested alternative places to park so children and parents can walk.

Police and council officers will be present to give stickers to children who walk and also to discourage parking nearby the school.

The exercise takes place at Turton and Edgworth Primary, Bolton Road, Edgworth, on Wednesday at 8.30am, and at Audley Primary, Pringle Street, Blackburn, at 8.30am on Friday.