A Darlington school involved in Bike to School Week had the second highest number of cyclists in the country.

The project, run by green charity Sustrans and supported by Darlington Borough Council, encouraged pupils and their parents to cycle to school rather than take the car.

At Heathfield Primary School, 154 cyclists turned up on the first day of Bike to School Week, which ran at the end of last month, and 130 of those were children.

During the week, about 1,000 trips to and from school were made by the cyclists, making it the second most successful school taking part in the initiative in the country. Cycle training has been taking place at the school and headteacher Dave Hayllar predicts about 30 junior school-age pupils and 20 infant school pupils will be cycling to and from school every day by the start of next half-term.

The school council, made up of Heathfield pupils, loved their introduction to cycling so much they approached Mr Hayllar and asked if they could get involved in the Wheely Wednesday project.

On Wednesday, July 13, pupils will be asked to travel to school on either one or two wheels.

The Sustrans team will be on to hand to present prizes to all the children who take up the challenge and use a skateboard, bike or even a unicycle to get to school.

Mr Hayllar said: "I was very impressed with the children's attitude and their enthusiasm for the project. We will encourage as many pupils as possible to continue cycling and are now looking forward to Wheely Wednesday."