A GROUP of children were transformed into superheroes as part of a scheme to encourage more youngsters to walk to school.

Pupils from Cockerton Primary School, Darlington, donned costumes for a themed walk led by Spiderman.

The event is part of the Mega Motion campaign, Move everybody get active, which encourages parents and pupils to leave the car behind and walk, cycle or scoot to school every Friday to help children achieve their suggested hour of exercise each day.

Cockerton Primary School took part in a number of the walks in October and won a themed Mega Motion walk, with the superhero idea thought up by a reception pupil.

It is the first of many lined up between now and July next year, with 43 different schools participating and a wide range of themes planned.

David Lyonette, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: "Teachers find that pupils who walk or are active on the journey to school are more relaxed, alert and ready to start the day than those that travel by car.”