A GALAXY of sporting heroes were on parade at a Darlington school this week - though only one was the real thing.

Youngsters at North Road primary school were joined by former England cricket captain, Ian Botham, to launch this year's national Walk to School week.

The 480 pupils dressed up as sporting idols for the day, with Mr Botham's wife, Kathy, selecting nine-year-old Samantha Hildreth, of Eldon Street, as the winner.

Among the numerous footballers in replica kits ranging from Darlington, Sunderland and Newcastle to Manchester United and Liverpool, were a mini Michael Schumacher, a boxer, a jockey, judo players and cricketers.

Samantha made a padded costume to dress up as a football. Her prize was to walk home from school with the Bothams.

She said: "I didn't want to be a footballer, so I thought it would be a good idea to come as the ball instead."

Mr Botham, famous for his marathon charity walks, said: "All the kids have made a great effort and the little girl who won has obviously put a lot of time and thought into it. To dress up as a ball was a great idea."

On the campaign to encourage more parents and carers to walk to school with their children, he said: "The concept is terrific. I certainly had a lot more fun walking to school as a kid. Obviously you have to be a bit more careful nowadays than when I went to school, but in principle it's a very good idea."

North Road head teacher, Mr Richard Wilde, said the day had been a great success. "I was encouraged by the lack of cars that turned up this morning and the number of children who took part," he said.

"We are very grateful to Ian and Kathy for coming along to help us and the children have had a great time."

As part of the campaign, pupils at all the town's primary schools have been given an activity leaflet to fill in on each day they walk to school. The leaflet is in the form of a diary with boxes to be completed with information such as the weather on each day, what they saw on the way to school, who they walked with, what sounds they heard and how busy the roads were.

Children who walked every day of the week will receive a certificate, while those who walked for part of the week will receive a badge.

Feedback from last year's campaign in Darlington produced such comments as "There were a lot more things to do and see."

"I get to meet my friends and I like the wind blowing me and the flowers so I can smell them," and "the fresh air wakes me up in the morning".

Coun Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "The Walk to School week is an effective way to get the message across to parents, carers and children, reminding them that walking to school can be healthy, educational, safe and fun.