THOUSANDS of pupils across the county have reaped the benefits of walking to school as part of a national campaign.

In total, 33 Cumbrian schools got involved in this year's Walk to School Week, which is led by the charity Living Streets.

Cumbria County Council's Active Travel team supports the campaign every year.

It says parents find the journey to school less stressful and children perform better at school, with teachers reporting that those pupils who walk to school are more attentive.

Nancy Sloan, the council's school travel officer, said: "Walk to School Week is always popular with Cumbrian schools. The focus is on fun, active travel and building daily exercise into the school journey.

"Schools find that their entrances and surrounding streets are less congested during drop off and pick up times, which improves air quality and provides a safer environment.”