CHILDREN at a Redditch school are doing their bit to help cut down the congestion outside their school with their new walking bus.

The 'bus' was set up at Astwood Bank First School with the assistance of the road safety team from Worcestershire County Council.

The idea is that the children walk together with parents, wearing high visibility jackets, along a set route that has been risk assessed by the road safety team.

The bus at Astwood Bank, which was launched as part of National Road Safety Week, starts from Astwood Smiles Nursery car park where parents have been given permission to park their vehicles. This means that the parents do not have to park near to the school.

Dulci Morris, deputy headteacher at the school, said: "The walking bus has attracted a lot of interest from parents and the children enjoy the short walk to school. We are hoping it will grow and grow."

Councillor Liz Eyre, the county council's cabinet member for children and families, said: "The walking bus scheme is an innovative road safety scheme that helps alleviate traffic around schools as well as giving vital safety training to children."

The council's road safety team visits schools across the county to spread messages to pupils and staff. Staff give talks and training on a variety of initiatives, including pedestrian and cycle training (Bikeability).

For more information on the service, including how to set up a walking bus, email roadsafety@worcestershire.gov.uk or phone 01905 763763.