A seven-year-old boy, previously confined to a wheelchair, was “thrilled” to have walked to school for the first time today.

Evan Whitton, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when he was one, was cheered on by pupils, family, friends and other supporters as he reached the gates of Hothfield Junior School in Silsden.

With the aid of two crutches he had managed to walk more than 600 yards from his home in The Kingfishers, Silsden, after setting off at 8.10am.

Despite needing the odd rest he made it to his destination at 9.17am and said he now plans to continue walking to school at least once a week.

Evan was inspired by a project called ‘Walk the History of the Games’. Schools across Bradford district and West Yorkshire were invited to take part in the event as part of the build-up to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and aims to get schoolchildren to walk, scoot or cycle to school to promote better health and a cleaner environment.