A guide dog has been learning the ropes by leading a walking bus to school in Silsden.

For the past six weeks trainee guide dog Hannah has accompanied the walking bus to Aire View Infants School every Wednesday.

The walking bus is led by two volunteer adults who walk the children to school along a designated route, picking up pupils from "bus stops" as they go.

Co-ordinator of the walking bus Cath Smith explained: "Hannah is from Silsden Blind Centre and lives on Dradishaw Road.

"She is part way through her training to become a guide dog and is doing really well so far.

"The idea is for her to learn how to walk with people safely. It's good for her to learn with us as we stop at kerbs and are cautious in traffic.

"It gets her used to going out and seeing the different sights and sounds on the road, as well as getting used to the children.

"The first time she saw a cat she didn't know what to do, but she's coming on fine now!"

Mrs Smith added that Hannah would continue to accompany the walking bus after the summer holidays in September.

Some of the children were previously scared of dogs but contact with Hannah has encouraged them to overcome this.

The dog accompanies the walking bus, which travels from Dradishaw Road via Skipton Road.

This is the second bus to come into operation since the scheme's original launch in June 2001.

It was welcomed by the school as a healthier transport and has cut down the volume of traffic outside the school.

Head teacher Vicki Bottomley said: "It certainly took a lot of hard work to get the scheme up and running, but it's working brilliantly now."

The children wear reflective tabards so that they can be seen by motorists and other road users.