PUPILS in a rural village notorious for heavy traffic are being encouraged to stride out.

Parents of youngsters at Flockton First School are being encouraged to park their cars further from the school, to motivate their little ones to become more active.

The scheme is part of a school initiative to promote road safety and healthy living.

Headteacher Neil Cappleman said: “Busy traffic is something they have got to live with in this village.

“The more they know about it and how to cross roads safely, the better it will be.”

Around half the school’s 80 pupils already walk to school. Now parents are being invited to park their cars in the car park of Flockton Green Working Men’s Club, on Barnsley Road, and enjoy the stroll to school.

Mr Cappleman added: “We have an agreement with the working men’s club to use their car park because it is not in use at school drop-off and pick-up times.

“We are promoting the use of the car park to parents so the cars are not around the busy area near the school gates.

“It gives parents and children the chance to walk a bit further. It is also good for parents to be able to walk and talk to their children.”