Pupils from Dee Point Primary School in Blacon and St Clare's RC Primary School, Lache, were able to learn vital road safety skills by taking part in a 'Let's Walk' training exercise.

Volunteers from both schools were equipped with the skills to lead a training session in a one-day course held by Cheshire's County Council Road Safety Unit.

This enabled the volunteer instructors to take year three or year four children out for hour-long practical roadside training sessions.

The practical training will be reinforced back in the classroom with a variety of free resources, which include booklets, bookmarks, maps and aerial photographs, together with a teacher's kit, which is loaned to the school.

The scheme is overseen by the Road Safety Unit ,which ensure the route which children walk is as safe as possible.

County Hall children's services executive member David Rowlands said: "Awareness of road safety is an essential part of teaching children to become safe, independent pedestrians, so that they can enjoy the health and environmental benefits of walking.

"By teaching children these vital skills, we hope this in turn will encourage parents to walk to school with their children and therefore reduce traffic and congestion at the school gate."

Senior road safety officer Andrea Gray said: "Let's Walk is part of our Cheshire CAT Campaign.

"Although it is managed by the county council's road safety unit, we rely on volunteers to deliver this important training within the schools."

Any school which would like further information on this scheme is asked to contact Cheshire County Council's road safety u nit on 01244 973601 or email roadsafety@cheshire.gov.uk