HOLT Primary School has been ranked fourth in the country in the Big Pedal campaign that aimed to encourage pupils to lead healthier lives by cycling or scooting to school.

In the 10-day challenge, which ran from March 2-20, the school topped the list in the South West achieving a daily average of 92.94 per cent making it the highest ranked primary school in Wiltshire.

More than 90 per cent of the school took part in the event which equated to 130 pupils all aiming to reduce traffic around the school gates.

Headteacher Margaret Harnden said the school has been involved in the initiative for four years.

She added: “We do a lot of things throughout the year and the children are very active in using their bikes and scooters and that is why we have put a bike park outside the school.

“We have about 40-50 children using their bikes or scooters regularly and that number went up during the challenge. It’s brilliant that the children are celebrating their efforts.”

The Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge organised by Sustrans and supported by the Bike Hub.

Holt Primary is already involved with Sustrans' Bike It initiative and they are on course to be awarded a gold standard for their efforts to encourage children to cycle to school.