CHILDREN in the Borders are being encouraged to walk to school as part of a drive to get them more active.

Local housing developer Barrett Homes has donated 50 hi-visibility vests to pupils at Clovenfords Primary School, near Galashiels, to celebrate International Walk to School Month.

It follows the revelation that around half of children do not walk to school regularly, with 41 per cent driven to school in cars - despite the average distance between a child's home and their primary school being one mile.

Doug McLeod Managing Director for Barratt East Scotland, which is behind the Vinery Park development in Clovenfords, said: "By offering pupils a helping hand and donating 50 hi-visibility vests to the school, the pupils will be encouraged to walk to school and can stay safe as winter approaches and the dark nights draw in." And he added: "It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day and therefore walking to school is the ideal time for children to be active."