Forty-one schools across Worcestershire are to share £180,000 to put their school travel plans into place.

The schools have secured Government funding after successfully drawing up a travel plan with Worcestershire County Council.

The money will be shared out now their plans have been approved by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). All of the schools had to submit their plans to the Department for Education and Skills for consideration by the end of March this year.

The primary schools will receive £3,750, plus £5 per pupil, while the secondary schools will receive £5,000 plus £5 per pupil. The grants can be used to buy items to enable healthier, more sustainable journeys to school, for example; cycle racks, sheltered waiting areas for those who walk, and lockers.

Coun Derek Prodger, the county council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "We are delighted to have secured this level of funding. School travel plans involve great ways to tackle congestion at the school gate, reduce traffic around the school, help improve child safety and reduce emissions. Walking and cycling also have great benefits on a child's health."

Travel plans show how parents, pupils and staff propose to reduce using the car when travelling to and from school, and encourage people to walk and cycle while also making it safer for them to do so.

Schools in Wychavon that have secured funding are Vale of Evesham Special, Bretforton First, Overbury CE First, Bredon Hancock's Endowned CE First, St Egwins Middle, Fladbury CE First and St Mary's RC Primary, Broadway.