SCHOOLCHILDREN are to be involved throughout the launch of a nationwide campaign in Preston. Pupils from St Ignatius RC Primary, Ribbleton Avenue Infants and Holme Slack County Primary were given talks about alternative forms of transport to the car for Green Transport Week.

After the initial awareness sessions with staff from Preston Borough Council, the children started work on producing artwork, poetry and essays based on transport and traffic-related themes.

Their work will go on display at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery from Monday.

Six children from the three schools will attend the official launch of the week on June 4 at the University of Central Lancashire.

They will meet Lord Whitty from the Department of Transport and the Regions and will travel around the county on an environmentally-friendly bus for a trip around various museums.

And Preston Bus will take 30 pupils to the town hall to hand over their ideas on green transport for inclusion in the Local Transport Plan's public consultation.

They will also take refreshments with the mayor and have a whistle-stop tour of the town hall before going back to school.

But they aren't the only ones getting in on the environmental act. Staff at Preston Borough Council are being encouraged to walk or cycle to work with a 'healthy biker's breakfast' in their canteen and on National Car Free Day - June 8 - all directors have pledged to travel to work on public transport or bicycle.

And the council can boast healthier vehicles since 120 were converted to run on ultra-low sulphur diesel and more and more departments are purchasing office bikes to cut down on car mileage.

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