THE race is on to be named a city's greenest school class.

Sunderland City Council has launched its annual Walk to School Week, with classes from 34 schools battling it out for the title.

For every child who walks, cycles or gets the bus to school, their class will receive one green leaf.

For every child who is brought by car, the class will get one brown leaf.

The classes with the most green leaves at the end of the week go forward to a final judging stage.

St Michael's Primary School, in Houghton, won the title in 2004 and last year.

Councillor Joe Lawson, the city council's portfolio holder for planning and transportation, said: "When we first started this competition it was because officers who had spoken to parents found out that the reason they didn't walk their children to school was because of the danger they perceived from traffic at the school gate.

"This scheme was introduced to change that. By walking their children to school, parents can actually help ease rush hour congestion and reduce the number of cars around schools.

"We hope many parents will see the benefit of walking their children to school."