PINT-SIZED pubgoers are helping to cut traffic danger outside their school by walking to classes from their local.

More than half of the 89 pupils at St Chad's Primary, in Witton Park, head for the nearby Royal Hotel first thing in the morning and as soon as lessons have finished.

The Royal's car park is the starting point for a new 'walking bus' introduced by safety officers at Durham County Council.

Now that parents and governors lead about 50 children along the 500 yards between the pub and the school there has been a dramatic cut in the number of cars at the school gate.

And the council has made the road safer by narrowing a section and installing a crossing point and pedestrian island.

St Chad's is one of 56 Durham schools involved in a Safer Routes to Schools project which aims to enable more children to walk, cycle or take public transport by improving travelling conditions.

Headteacher Catherine Holborn said: "We had a big problem with congestion outside the school gates, but with the support of the county council we've solved the problem. Only two cars now park near the school."

Road safety officer Steward Withycombe said the aim was to reduce the number of pupils travelling in by car.

He said: "More cars mean more pollution around school and this, together with reduced levels of exercise, has a negative impact on health.

"It also means that children have less opportunity to develop road safety and personal skills and so develop poor travel habits for later life.

"Nationally and locally there is concern that a lot of road accidents involving children occur within a three-mile radius of home, often during the school run.

"Safer Routes to School is already having an impact in turning things around and the walking bus at St Chad's is a prime example of what can be done to tackle the problem when parents work closely with the school and the County Council."