Schools in Bradford are among the top five in the country for promoting healthy routes for pupils.

And now 50 primary and secondary schools across the district are sharing a £314,328 Government grant which has been awarded for new cycle paths, footpaths, bike sheds and school entrances.

One scheme is already up and running at Crossflatts Primary School, in Morton Lane, Crossflatts, where pupils are benefiting from a new cycle route and footpath which links the school with the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath.

Head teacher Hilary Craven said the path was a much safer route for children going to and from school.

"We were very concerned about congestion around the school gates both before and after school and we feared one day there would be a serious accident," she said.

"Now pupils can avoid the main entrance and come safely to school on foot or on their bikes.

"A lot of our pupils live in or near Micklethwaite so it is ideal for them."

Mrs Craven said the link was also helping to encourage parents to leave the car at home and escort their children to school.

"It's much healthier for them as they're getting exercise and they're not breathing in traffic fumes," she said.

"And it's a very attractive route along the canal.

"We have Healthy School status and by working with partners on our travel plan we are helping to create healthy travel habits for the children of Bingley."

The school is also installing new cycle stands and bike sheds.

Schools included in the grant, which was awarded by the Department for Education and Skills, had to submit a travel plan outlining how they could reduce the number of pupils brought to school by car, promote other methods of getting to and from school, and make sure parents and youngsters were safe.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for the environment, said: "It is a real credit to all the schools and Council staff who have been involved in producing these travel plans that this is one of the largest grants in the country given to one area."