CHILDREN across Mid Devon this week took part in a nationwide survey to find out how they travel to school.

St Johns Primary School and The Castle Primary school in Tiverton, Tiverton High School, St Andrews Primary School in Cullompton and Cullompton Community College were am-ong those included in the survey on Wednesday (September 17).

Pupils were asked how they got to school that morning and their answers are being analysed by officers at Devon County Council.

The idea is to use the results to help schools develop their own travel plans and allow the county council to target resources more effectively.

Devon County Council's School Travel Plan Co-ordinator Alison McGregor said: "The survey will allow us to see just how many children walk to school, how many cycle and how many come by car or public transport.

"That will allow us to target our resources more effectively in terms of providing improved public transport, pathways and cycle lanes and facilities like cycle storage in schools.

"Many parents cite safety and security as reasons why they drive their children to school but there are ways of overcoming their fears.

"For example, a 'walking bus' allows children to walk to school in a group, supervised by parents, in a safe way."

Devon's Director of Education Phil Norrey said: "The idea is to have a show of hands at from all Devon pupils to find out how they travelled to school.

"This snapshot of the main travel habits of young people in Devon helps to raise the profile of the journey to school and its effects on health, environment and safety."

The national Walk to School Week takes place from October 6 to 10 and aims to promote walking as a healthy, environmentally friendly and less stressful way to make the journey to school whilst at the same time reducing traffic congestion.