PUPILS from Rydal Academy are getting an extra special escort to school as part of an initiative to get children more active.

The youngsters walked to school with Rebels and Outlaws for the second of ten themed MEGA Friday months.

Schools across Darlington and South Durham competed to win a ‘Heroes and Villains’ themed MEGA Friday Walk for their school, led by Team Local Motion.

Pupils from Rydal Academy won their themed walk thanks to Owen, aged nine, who drew a picture of himself on the way to school with Guy Fawkes and MEGA Motion mascot, Max.

Owen and his classmates dressed up as their favourite rebels and outlaws - Robin Hood, cowboys, pirates and many more - to take the trip to school on Friday with Team Local Motion and ‘Guy Fawkes’.

The MEGA Friday walks form a key part of the MEGA Motion campaign jointly supported by Darlington Borough Council and Durham County Council.

The campaign aims to encourage as many pupils and parents as possible to leave their cars behind every Friday and walk, cycle or scoot to school.

Councillor David Lyonette, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “MEGA Fridays are a great way of encouraging families to think about the way they travel and begin to make small changes where possible.

“Choosing more sustainable forms of travel has excellent health benefits, teaches children about road safety and means there are fewer cars around the school gates.”