PUPILS combined festive fun with road safety for a special Christmas competition to encourage cycling to school.

The Bling your Bike competition organised by Stanley Crook Primary School, prompted more than a third of the pupils to cycle or scoot to school.

Pupils were tasked with decorating their bike or scooter with all things Christmas and prizes were for youngsters who showed originality and used recyclable materials.

The winning bike from the county will win a brand new bike just in time for Christmas.

As one of 20 Sutrans Bike It schools in the Local Motion project area, the primary school is keen to promote a ‘Be Safe – Be Seen’ message with plenty of fun, prizes and pupil involvement .

Sustrans Bike It is one part of Durham County Council’s Local Motion project that promotes sustainable travel in schools, workplaces and through local community initiatives.

Head teacher Shirley Oswald said she was delighted with the number of entrants.

“A lot of our children either cycle or scoot to school. They have been working with Rio Florenze, from Sustrans, and have enjoyed finding out about safe cycling and being safe on our roads.” She said.

“We were delighted to have 33 entrants for the Bling your Bike Christmas competition. All entrants will receive a cycling helmet as a thank you from us.”