Eastleigh schools are in the driving seat when it comes to developing travel plans.

They are leading the rest of Hampshire in the environmentally friendly initiative that aims to get pupils out of cars and on to their own two feet.

Transport and education chiefs have joined forces to get children walking and cycling to school in a bid to cut road congestion and pollution.

Now 24 of Eastleigh borough's 43 schools have a plan in place and it is predicted that 100 per cent will have one by 2006.

The latest to join the list is Shakespeare Junior School in Eastleigh where pupils, teachers and governors have put their heads together to come up with ideas.

The travel plan identifies the need for various initiatives including:

Cycle shelters.

A drying room for wet clothes.

Improving the cutway between the junior school and Shakespeare Infant School.

A lollipop patrol on Royston Avenue.

Measures to reduce vehicle speeds on nearby St Catherine's Road.

Parent-governor and local councillor Chris Thomas believes their measures will help the environment.

He said: "The school has set its target for 80 per cent of pupils to walk or cycle for the school journey by 2006.

"This will encourage more pupils to enjoy a healthier lifestyle and by encouraging their parents to leave the cars at home for the school run, improve their local environment."

Schools that have completed a travel plan are eligible to make a bid for help and cash from Hampshire County Council to put appropriate initiatives into action.

Shakespeare Junior School invited Eastleigh deputy mayor Councillor Bernie Wright to take part in a special assembly to launch the travel plan.