FAMILIES across Hartlepool are being urged to ditch their cars and walk to school this week.

The appeal from council road safety chiefs came ahead of National Walk to School Week, which runs until Friday.

According to them, the initiative can help to reduce congestion outside schools and improve safety for pupils, while also improving the health of children.

Robert Snowball, Hartlepool Borough Council's sustainable travel officer, said: "We hope parents and their children will leave their cars at home and give walking a try to see how enjoyable it can be.

"Walking can help to improve safety outside schools, and it can also play a part in tackling child obesity."

National Walk to School Week is being run by the charity Living Streets, which works to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets.

In Hartlepool, work to promote walking goes on all year round and nine schools currently operate Walk Once A Week schemes.

For more details on National Walk to School Week, call Mr Snowball on 01429-523259 or Paul Watson, the council's road safety officer, on 01429523590. Alternatively, people can email robert.snowball@hartlepool.gov.uk or paul.watson@hartlepool.gov.uk