Pupils have hailed new 'walking buses' at Nottingham’s Claremont Primary School such a success that the school is setting up two permanent routes. Each morning, 25 children catch either the early bus that gets them to the Carrington school in time for Breakfast Club or a later bus to get them to school for the start of lessons.

The walking buses follow trials over the past two months along a route that is just over a mile long. Pupils wait at designated 'bus stops' and are collected by conductors Emma Davis, a learning mentor at the school, and teaching assistant Carmen Metcalf. They wear fluorescent  jackets, hold hands and sing en route – the most popular song being  And the wheels on the bus go round and round .

The school chose this week’s National Walk to School Week to launch the permanent walking buses. The first starts at 8am, arriving at 8.25pm. The second is at 8.35am with the children getting to school at the designated starting time of 9am.

During the eight week trial several parents accompanied the bus pupils. One commented: "The children absolutely love the buses and it helps parents no end. We think all schools should be doing it."

Claremont Primary headteacher, Elise Tiplady says: "The children arrive at school bright, alert and ready to learn. Those on the first route take advantage of our Breakfast Club and the buses have improved punctuality and attendance at school.

"There are fewer cars on Claremont Road and we hope that this will spread as we develop the scheme further and more parents make this healthy and environmentally friendly choice for their children."

Councillor David Mellen, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolioholder for Children’s Services, said: "It is great to see schools like Claremont encouraging children to walk to school through this creative initiative. In Nottingham more pupils walk to school than is the average nationally which helps to address both the health of the children and to ease congestion.

"Walking is a sustainable and healthy way to get to school and the walking bus helps children learn vital road safety skills, take daily exercise and socialise with their peers"