SCHOOLS in Darlington could receive more than £320,000 to help get their pupils to school safely.

The money is part of the Government's £50m nationwide fund to implement the safer routes to school initiative, and extra money is available from Darlington Borough Council.

Schools in Darlington could be eligible for cash help of up to £5,000 for a primary school and £10,000 for a secondary school.

With more than 50 primary and seven secondary schools in the town, this could mean more than £320,000 extra for Darlington's schools.

Schools must have a travel plan in place by March to apply for the funding.

As well as Government funding, Darlington Borough Council is offering funding through its local transport plan.

This money can be used for measures including traffic calming and safer road crossing facilities.

For extra help and guidance schools can send a representative to the Home to School Transport Seminar, a regional conference which is being held on December 3, in Newcastle.

The seminar covers how to make travel plans work and how to encourage environmentally friendly school travel as part of the curriculum.

It will also look at issues to do with travelling to school by bus, and include practical workshops.

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This really is an excellent opportunity for schools to tap into extra cash to help them develop safer routes to school.

"This, in turn, will benefit everyone from pupils, who will enjoy improved health from walking and cycling to school, to residents and other road users, who will no doubt enjoy clearer roads and cleaner air.

Eastbourne Comprehensive, Alderman Leach Primary, Abbey Infant and Middleton St George Primary schools already have safer routes to school projects.

The council's transport policy team has sent newsletters to each school with details of the opportunities available and how they can find out more about travel plans and applying for funding.

The team has also offered to help all schools with drawing up their own travel plans.

For more information on safer routes to school and travel plans, contact Darlington Borough Council on (01325) 388625.