HEALTH and transport bosses are joining forces to encourage hundreds of schoolchildren in Darlington to take a step towards fitness this week.

Darlington Borough Council and the town's primary care trust have unveiled a number of initiatives in conjunction with national Walk to School Week.

Council research suggests that 56 per cent of pupils in the borough walk to their primary schools every day, but the council is keen to see that figure increase.

Every primary school child in Darlington has been invited to take part in this week's activities.

Schools have been asked to monitor how many children walk to school for the next six weeks.

All schools that have signed up will receive an education pack to help teachers incorporate the healthy walking message into lessons.

The pack also contains certificates for pupils who sign up and posters to advertise the scheme.

As an added incentive, children who walk to school every day this week and continue to do so for the first week after the Spring Bank Holiday will get a free swim at the Dolphin Centre.

Computer software will be presented to the school with the highest increase in the number of pupils walking to school over the six-week period and also to the school with the highest percentage of children walking. The pupils at the latter school will also get a disco provided for them by Alpha Radio.

Ruth Brown, the primary care trust's healthy lifestyles officer, said: "Walking to school has a host of benefits for children both physically and mentally.

"The children arrive at school invigorated and are ready to concentrate on their lessons. It's also a lot of fun for them mixing with their friends before school starts."

Councillor Nick Wallis, the borough council's cabinet member for transport, said: "We hope all primary schools will get involved in some way.

"It is important that we encourage children and their parents to enjoy the benefits of walking around the town."

Walk to School Week coincides with the opening of three new traffic-free routes in town.

The paths open tomorrow and will encourage pupils from Hummersknott School and Language College, Abbey Infant and Junior Schools, Red Hall Primary School and the schools in Hurworth to walk or cycle to school.