THOUSANDS of Darlington youngsters worked up an appetite by walking to school on Wednesday.
When they arrived, they tucked into a free bread and jam breakfast provided by family baker Warburton's, before settling down to their lessons.
The company gave £3,000 towards information packs promoting the borough council's Walk to School Week.
Then it delivered 460 loaves with spread and jam to the 24 schools taking part in Wednesday's International Walk to School Day.
Gill Kippax, a member of the Warburton family, even joined in the walk at Middleton St George and saw the slightly chaotic breakfast session. "If the current exercise at Middleton St George is anything to go by, the scheme has been a very great success," she said.
The company has a long history of community involvement in the North-East, from giving bread for school breakfast clubs, to holding healthy sandwich-making classes for children.
Coun Nick Wallis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Anything which encourages children and parents to leave the car behind and walk to school is to be welcomed. Thanks must go to Warburton's for their generous support."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article