There are several very good reasons for encouraging children to walk to school rather than be taken there by car. Fewer vehicles cluttering the roads around schools at the beginning and end of the day means increased safety for the pupils and less congestion for other passing drivers. It means less pollution in the air the children breathe, which is also good for the environment generally.

And the walk to and from school is good exercise, something which is very important at a time when so much effort is being put into encouraging children to adopt a healthier lifestyle. It is also useful exercise for the parents who accompany them.

Those are some of the messages being put across during National Walk to School Week, which is being promoted with commendable enthusiasm by Bradford Council. As Councillor Anne Hawkes-worth, executive member for the environment, says, hopefully the children will enjoy the experience and keep it up.

Hopefully, too, pupils around the district will be inspired to follow the example set by youngsters at Wibsey Primary School, who today were repeating their triumph of last year when total of 1,500 children, staff and parents marched to school, and those at Atlas Primary School, Manningham, who yesterday set off on foot to their local library wearing reflective tabards.

Well done to these schools, and to the others who will be holding their own, similar events throughout the week. Together they are helping to protect the environment, improve their own fitness and give Bradford a significant nudge on the way to becoming a healthier city.