FEWER children are driven to school by their parents on Hampshire’s roads as more are using other modes of transport to get to class.

Transport chiefs at Hampshire County Council have found the number of cars that are being used on the school run has reduced by 12 per cent in the last ten years.

That means there are now 20,000 fewer car journeys each day.

Children and their teachers from 22 schools across Hampshire shared ideas on how to encourage more people to walk, cycle and scoot to school at the My Journey Hampshire STARS Summer Schools’ Conference, in Winchester.

Botley CE School and the Crescent Primary School in Eastleigh were two of five Hampshire primary schools presented with Modeshift STARS travel awards.

The awards are part of a national programme recognising the way children travel to school.

The conference was designed to encourage people to walk, scoot and cycle to school, leaving the car at home.

Children and teachers at the conference took part in fun workshops and competitions.

Council Leader Roy Perry spoke at the event.

He said: “Walking, scooting and cycling, or even taking the bus or sharing a car to school is better for children, better for the environment and better for all of us.

“It was an excellent day, where a serious subject was tackled with great good humour.”