PUPILS at a Chandler's Ford school are becoming a driving force in finding environmentally friendly ways of travelling.

Scantabout Primary School celebrated the launch of its school travel plan with a Walking Wednesday event. All 214 pupils were encouraged to walk to school to promote the initiative.

It aims to cut traffic and congestion on the school run, reducing environmental damage and poor air quality and improving road safety.

Over the next three years the school aims to increase the number of pupils who cycle or walk to school from 48 per cent to 60 per cent through initiatives such as walking buses and bike buddies.

They also want to see improvements to frequently used walking and cycling routes and additional facilities such as new cycle parking.

Eastleigh's executive councillor for transport and infrastructure David Airey said: "Over the past ten years the number of children driven to school has dramatically increased and this is having an effect on both traffic congestion and children's health. "We are delighted to be actively helping schools develop and produce travel plans that aim to address these issues."

All families of pupils have received a copy of the travel plan document.