CHILDREN who cycle to school were treated to a free nutritious breakfast this week.

Youngsters at St Anne’s Primary School in Bishop Auckland and Sedgefield Primary School enjoyed the tasty start to the day as part of the Sustrans Bike it Campaign.

The energetic pupils also got the chance to try out a smoothie-making bicycle, where their pedal power earned them further nutritious rewards.

Sustrans Bike It officer, Rio Floreza, said: "It’s just so exciting to see so many enthusiastic pupils choosing to scoot and cycle to school, enjoying the fresh air and working up a healthy appetite for a nutritious breakfast and a day of learning lots of exciting new things!"

Sustrans began providing Bike It breakfasts in partnership with Durham County Council after a national travel survey revealed only two per cent of children cycle to school.

The charity, which promotes sustainable transport, carried out its own survey and discovered 45 per cent of youngsters wanted to travel by bike.

Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Cycling to school is a brilliant way of helping make sure our county’s kids grow up healthy.

“Not only does the daily exercise improve our children’s confidence and independence but having fewer cars on the roads during the school run means a much healthier environment for everyone.”