PUPILS in County Durham who walk to school are to be encouraged to become street rangers this month and help to take care of their environment.

Pupils, along with family and friends who walk them to school, are to celebrate international Walk to School Month, by taking part in the initiative.

Among the benefits of the initiative are that youngsters will get exercise, will follow the Green Cross Code and the Countryside Code, will be encouraged not to drop litter, be kind to the environment and wildlife, behave well on the journey to and from school and be friendly to others.

Bob Pendlebury, Durham County Council's cabinet member for transport and sustainability, said children from 40 other countries were taking part in walk to school month.

He said it was hoped that youngsters who were normally driven to school would enjoy walking and continue to go to school on foot at the end of the month.

"County Durham children will be able to learn about the benefits of their local environment while they walk," he said.

"Research suggests that children are more restricted in their freedoms than ever before and this is having a detrimental impact on their sense of place and understanding of their local community.

"During the campaign, we would like children to take pride in their local neighbourhood and experience the outdoors on their journey to and from school, and to encourage those who are walking, and the adults travelling with them, to become street rangers."