MORE than 700 teachers, parents and pupils took part in The Big Walk and Talk today (July 4).

Teesdale School, in Barnard Castle, joined with Green Lane, St Mary’s and Montalbo primary schools to walk through town together.

The event is the result of 18 months of planning and pupils from all the schools have spent weeks creating colourful banners to carry during the event.

John Southeran, co-principal of Teesdale School, said: “We have used this as an opportunity to create a sense of belonging among the pupils and to have cross age group pupils talking to each other and sharing what community means to them.”

Pupils aged four to 15 set off from the town’s castle and walked through the town centre and on to Teesdale School where they stopped for a picnic.

Mr Southeran added: “One of the highlights for me was seeing one of our year seven pupils, age 12, holding hands with a pupil from reception, age five, helping them walk.

“People in the community were lining the streets as we were walking past, visually it looked amazing, it really had the wow factor.

“It has been a fantastic day and I am exceptionally proud, not just of our pupils but of the whole community, it really has been an amazing community event.”