PARENTS are being urged to leave the car at home and walk their children to school in a bid to get fit this autumn.

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has provided 100 high visibility slap bands to encourage pupils at Wychbold First and Nursery School at Wychbold, near Droitwich to walk to school and help keep them safe on the journey now that the clocks have gone back and the nights are getting darker.

"Childhood obesity levels are soaring, with a third of 10 and 11-year-olds now classed as overweight or obese, yet walking to school is one of the easiest ways for families to increase their level of physical activity," said Anne Wallace, regional sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey, which is building new homes at its Jasmine Gardens development in Wychbold. It’s astonishing that a third of year six schoolchildren nationally are considered overweight or obese, yet just a small amount of activity – like walking to school – can make such a difference. We are committed to supporting the communities in which we build our high-quality new homes, which is why we have donated 100 slap bands to Wychbold First and Nursery School. We understand that family life can be busy, but we hope our contribution will help inspire families to swap the car for a safe walk to school instead.”

Rachel Hughes, head teacher at Wychbold First and Nursery School, added: "We encourage the children to walk to school to promote a healthier lifestyle and to reduce traffic outside the school. We are very grateful to Taylor Wimpey for this generous donation which will help raise the profile of walking to school among pupils and parents alike.”