From Pam Newby, Exeter 383654, May 13,2008

Devon's primary school pupils are busy creating 'footprint' shaped artwork to enter a special competition being run by Devon County Council to mark Walk to School Week.

The children are being asked to produce footprints with a theme based on the benefits of walking to school and the top three designs for each month will feature in a calendar to be produced for the 2008/9 school year.

The best designers will each receive £10 book token and the overall winner will receive a £25 book token.

The competition is being run by the County Council's School Travel Plan Team and sponsored by its TravelWise campaign.

Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Margaret Rogers, said: "Children's energy and enthusiasm is not dampened by rain or snow. In fact just the opposite - splashing in puddles or playing snowball is a bonus! I am sure the competition entries will reflect their desire to be active and walk to school all year round."

National Walk to School Week runs from Monday, May 19th and this year's theme is "Exploring the Environment through Noise and Sound".

Thanks to Devon County Council initiatives such as walking buses, nearly 46,000 pupils walk regularly to and from school.

Some schools are using Walk to School Week as a springboard to begin long term projects. Many have requested resources such as the 'Walk the Wizard Way' reward scheme.

Councillor Rogers said: "We need to encourage children's independence and good health while reducing pollution, congestion and climate change gases. Walking to school is not only healthier, but develops children's road safety traffic skills and independence while research indicates they are more awake and ready to learn when they arrive at school.

"During Walk to School Week many small steps will be made towards ensuring Devon's children have a healthy happy future."

Schools wanting more information should contact the School Travel Team on 01392 383700 or 383004 or http://www.devon.gov.uk/school_travel_plans.htm

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

In Devon the school run amounts to about 151,000 kilometres driven daily (over three and a half times round the world), producing nearly 3,600 tons of CO2 a year and costing parents approximately £5.8 million a year in fuel.