ELEVEN thousand primary school children took to the streets to enjoy the sunny weather during Walk To School week.

Throughout this week schools across Brighton and Hove organised activities to encourage, reward and celebrate walking and other active ways to travel.

Thirty two primary schools got involved, with many putting on creative activities to promote the message that walking to school makes for healthier, happier children as well as being environmentally friendly.

Pupils and staff at Middle Street Primary School took part in a “Wake And Shake” event alongside the Walk To School mascot, Piers the Meerkat.

Children at the school also wrote and performed their Walk To School song at a special assembly to celebrate the benefits of being active on the way to school. Pupils at Brighton Prep held an inter-house competition to encourage each house to get the most pupils walking to school.

Environment committee chairwoman Councillor Gill Mitchell said: “Walking or cycling to school is a great habit to get into. I hope that this event encourages many children and their families to keep it up.”

Alongside Walking To School Week, more than 2,000 children from 25 nurseries are taking part in Walking And Wheeling Month. The event encourages parents, carers, children and staff to walk, scoot and cycle to their nursery, pre-school, playgroup or childminder.

Piers the Meerkat, who accompanied children on their journeys, also features in Smile, (Smile, move, imagine, learn and enjoy), an animated video made with help from schoolchildren from Carlton Hill Primary, St Andrews CE Primary and Hove Junior School, to promote the benefits of an active lifestyle.