NORTH Durham MP Kevan Jones visited a Chester-le-Street primary school yesterday to learn about its efforts to encourage children to walk to school.

Bullion Lane Primary School has introduced Park and Stride as a scheme to promote healthy exercise for children.

Pupils who live within five minutes' walk of the school are asked to travel to school on foot.

Parents who drive their children to school are encouraged to park five minutes away, and walk the rest of the way with their children.

Mr Jones said: "The Park and Stride scheme introduced at Bullion Lane Primary is an excellent idea.

"Encouraging pupils, and parents, to walk can only be good for their health.

"It also sends the right environmental message, and may also reduce congestion in the area around the school.

"Bullion Lane Primary is to be congratulated on this initiative."

While at the school, Mr Jones talked to pupils about his role as an MP and participated in a question-and-answer session on environmental issues.