Bolton Wanderers players at St Peter's CE Primary School

Aaron Morley and Kieran Sadlier joined the first Tuesday Trotters club at St Peter's Primary School in Farnworth.

The new walking club is designed to improve health and look after the planet at the same time.

The scheme is part of the Safe and Active Travel initiative aimed at helping the borough meet its Climate Change, Carbon and Air Quality targets, as well as improving public health.

Bolton Council teamed up with St Peter’s, Bolton Wanderers Community Trust (BWitC) and Bright Leaders to bring the programme to St Peter's CE Primary.

The walking bus (Image: Agency)

Pupils were given a huge input into the scheme.

They worked hard on a promotional video and posters to help encourage their peers and parents to support the initiative.

Their efforts paid off and the walking school bus was a huge success.

Benjamin Worthington, Year Six pupil and the chair of the Pupil Leadership Team, said: “It was good because we got to meet Bolton players and we did a successful job by getting so many people to join the walking bus.

“I think the school was safer and I think we should do it again.”

Lisa Simpson, BWitC Programme Lead (Schools & Mentoring), said: “Bolton Wanderers in the Community were very proud to be part of the School Streets project this morning at St Peter’s School.

“School Streets is not only vital for increasing the safety of children on their daily walk to school, but is also exceptionally important for the environment as well their physical activity levels and overall health.”

Lynn Williams, headteacher, said: “It was amazing to see so many children being inspired by their peers to join our walking bus.

“Thanks to our Pupil Leader for this great initiative and the work of Chris Reddy and Bright Leaders for getting this initiative off the ground.”

Chris Reddy, Founder of Bright Leaders, said: “It was so nice to see the hard work from the children pay off. It was a real team effort!

“The staff at St Peter’s really helped to support this youth led initiative but we could not have done this without the help from Public Health Bolton, Tesco Farnworth, BWFC in the Community and let’s not forget their parents!

“To have two Bolton players there was the ‘cherry on the cake’ and having them there helped us launch this initiative.”

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Susan Baines, said:“It’s so exciting to see our local school children taking a stand and wanting to make change.

“Keeping active at a young age will hopefully stay with them through their older years and help us to have a healthier population in Bolton.“Young people are, of course, the future of the town and I am proud they have come together with some valued partners to create something innovative that is making positive changes.

“I wish St Peter’s Primary School lots of luck for the future of Tuesday Trotters – keep up the good work!”

Visit the Let’s Keep Bolton Moving website to find out how you can make positive changes through the five ways to wellbeing – Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Giving.