PUPILS at Avon Valley College in Durrington will be getting on their bikes and scooters next week as part of a national scheme to get more children active.

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans has launched this year’s Big Pedal, a national competition through which schools get points for the more pupils who make journeys by bike or scooter.

The inter-school competition, which will run from Monday until March 14, was launched in 2009. Research shows that nearly half of all children want to be able to cycle to school, but only four per cent actually do. The aim of the Big Pedal is to engage children in cycling and scooting to school in a fun way so they will continue to do so after the competition finishes.

Collette Harries from the school said: “We’re really excited to be taking part in the Big Pedal. We hope that by encouraging our children to cycle and scoot to school over the next two weeks we will see a reduction in congestion and pollution around the school gates and help the children feel healthier and happier.”

To find out more go to bigpedal.org.uk.