Otley'S first ever walking bus for schoolchildren got underway this week.

But for the children of the All Saint's Out of School Club, which meets at the old All Saints Junior School annexe in Bridge Street, it means crossing one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the town.

All the children have been provided with eye-catching tabards to make them more visible to drivers and a £500 grant has been provided by Otley Town Council to help pay for adults to walk with them along the route.

But club leader Cath Speight says crossing Bridge Street from Wharfeside Park is still very dangerous and the walkers are not allowed by law to stop the traffic.

"It is very dangerous but we have to cross it.

"Although we are not allowed to actually stop the traffic, motorists are usually more aware when the children are wearing the vests."

The after school club, which will eventually move to the Cross Green Community Centre, currently has 20 children from Westgate Primary and All Saints Primary schools in attendance.

It takes children from all over the town from after school right up to 6pm.

The club has been given a grant of £500 by Otley Town Council which will pay to employ full-time walkers.

Mrs Speight said: "I have to say many thanks to the town council.

"We are still looking for adults to supervise the walking-bus from both schools.

"The grant will help to pay for someone full-time.

"We are going to hold a raffle to raise more funds for the club and hope to employ another walker."

A Leeds City Council spokesman said: "We feel the route of this walking bus minimises the risks. The route was chosen as the alternative was along a very narrow pavement.

"When deciding a route our road safety officers provide assistance and advice to help volunteers choose the most suitable route and identify any hazards.

"Walking en masse and wearing fluorescent vests makes the group highly visible to drivers,

"The children are also supervised by adults making this the safest way to get to the after-school club on foot."

The vests were donated by Kia Motors as part of their unusual Think Before You Drive national campaign.

Paul Carter from Kia Motors said: "Supporting this route is great news, but we cannot afford to let up with our programme to encourage people to think before they drive.

"It is critical that the equipment we have supplied does deliver active walking bus routes and that children, parents, teachers and councils continue to work together to ensure that there is a real choice in how we make every journey."