PUPILS from 15 primary and nursery schools will step out tomorrow as part of a National Walk to Schools Week initiative.

The health promotion team from Derwentside Primary Care Trust, in County Durham, has organised the synchronised walk.

Youngsters aged four to 11 from nursery, infant and junior schools in Stanley and surrounding villages will simultaneously set off on a walk, each group carrying a jigsaw piece.

On arrival at Stanley Community Centre, they will be met by Sam, the cartoon character adopted by the road safety division of Durham County Council, to encourage more children to walk to school.

Sam will help the children to complete a giant jigsaw and discuss the benefits of a walking to school and a generally healthier lifestyle with the children.

Several county council members for the Stanley area will be at the centre, offering their encouragement to the young walkers.

Jaime Battye, health promotion worker at Sure Start Stanley, said: "We are trying to encourage children to take more exercise, particularly as there is so much concern nowadays about childhood obesity.

"We believe that children should be encouraged to take healthy exercise and a walk is both good exercise and fun."