MORE than 13,000 Wiltshire pupils have been putting their best foot forward to mark International Walk to School Week.

The event, which ends today, is aimed at encouraging parents to leave the car at home.

The youngsters have been trying out the healthy pursuit with two million others across the UK.

Wiltshire County Council hopes it will encourage many to continue walking to school permanently.

The event was launched in Wiltshire with a presentation at Fynamore Primary School, in Calne, where pupils took part in a Walk on Wednesday campaign.

Children who completed the challenge received £5 from county council cabinet member for education William Snow.

Fynamore headteacher Carolyn Maddox said: "As a new school in a developing community, we try to encourage parents to let children walk to school as much as possible.

"Walk on Wednesday has been a great way of doing this, and

the chance to win extra pocket money to keep the message going really worked."

Cllr Snow said: "Walking to school has benefits for the children, parents, the school and the community. It can help children take their first steps towards being more independent and self-reliant.

"Walk to School Week is invaluable in raising the awareness of walking to school so that it can be continued throughout the school year."