Children at a primary school are keeping fit and solving traffic congestion after the launch of a new “park and stride” scheme.Parents and pupils at Methwold are taking part in the initiative which aims to solve long-term parking problems at the site.

Children at a primary school are keeping fit and solving traffic congestion after the launch of a new “park and stride” scheme.

Parents and pupils at Methwold are taking part in the initiative which aims to solve long-term parking problems at the site.

They walk to and from a local car park to the school and the idea is the culmination of more than a year's work by the Downham Market Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) to resolve the issue.

PCSO Claire Line said: “The Safer Neighbourhood Team got involved after traffic problems around the school gates led to people raising concerns about child safety. I have personally spent many hours outside the school at closing time, moving cars away from the entrance and it was clear a long-term solution was needed.

“We've been working closely with Methwold Primary School for the past year to get the project off the ground. Two school assistants have also kindly offered their services to walk the students in a 'walking bus' to and from the car park so on cold or wet days the parents needn't even leave their cars.”

Starting on Monday, parents driving their children to and from the school will be asked to park at St George's Hall and walk their children to and from the school gates.

In adverse weather, the walking bus scheme will take effect and the pupils will be delivered to their parents at the car park.