Pupils and teachers will be participating in a new Lancashire Walks to School Day next week to promote the benefits of walking wherever possible for short journeys and celebrate the coronation of Charles III and Queen Camilla.

A Notice of Motion was agreed by Lancashire County Council in February, creating the event to "combine our commitment to the priority of protecting the environment, together with celebrating the historic Coronation of our new King and Queen."

Schools across Lancashire will take part in the event, which aims to build on support already provided by the county council to schools to encourage walking and cycling and teach children how to be safe on the roads, by bringing schools together on one special day.

Schools are each receiving an information pack with ideas on how to get involved, posters to publicise their local activity and a special coronation branded certificate template to award to participating students.

The pack also includes road safety tips and information including Walking Bus and Park and Stride resources. Schools can also register their interest for Right Start child pedestrian training, Bikeability cycling training and other road safety and active travel resources.

County Councillor Jayne Rear, cabinet member for education and skills, said:

"King Charles' concern for our environment is very well-known and this event will be a particularly fitting way to mark his Coronation. We anticipate that lots of schools across Lancashire will be signing up to participate and we look forward to seeing their photographs and hearing their experiences of the day.

"The physical benefits of making active travel choices are clear but we also hope that walking together will highlight the mental health benefits that walking can bring.

"We hope that as many families as possible will take part in this social occasion to mark the coronation and reconsider the way they travel in the future so that together we can take a positive step forward for our health and the environment."

Visit our website to find out more about how we are trying to increase active travel across Lancashire to make Lancashire a greener, safer and healthier place to live at www.lancashire.gov.uk/activetravel.