The 'Safer Routes to School' scheme has been launched by North Wales Police and aims to encourage as many children as possible across the region to walk to school and to ensure that they are kept safe while doing so.

A walk to school day was held at Rector Drew primary school, Hawarden, last week, with representatives from the police's Arrive Alive, mounted section, and drugs dogs unit, Flintshire Road Safety, Walkabout Flintshire and Flintshire Council.

Two walking buses were held with the children and parents, and a day without cars proved popular with everyone in the area.

PC Carol Twells, community beat manager for Hawarden and Ewloe, said: "The day was a huge success. Not only did it give the police and other organisations the chance to engage with pupils and parents, but the school run was a safe and calm area with no congestion or vehicles in the way.

"Parents chatted to each other and commented on how lovely and quiet the area was without cars, and we could even hear the birds singing."

For more information on Safer Routes to Schools, contact North Wales Police on 0845 607 1001 (Welsh language line) or 0845 607 1002 (English language line).