SCHOOL children had a spring in their step last week as they were joined by their favourite characters to celebrate Walk to School Week.

Ad Astra Infant School in Poole took part in the five-day challenge to celebrate Walk to School Week this May.

Bournemouth Echo:

Throughout the challenge, the children were well on their way to reaching their recommended 60 minutes minimum of physical activity per day before even reaching the school gates.

Mel Vachell-James, Joint Chair of The Friends of Ad Astra PTA, said: "We were joined throughout the week by Spider Man and Anna (from Frozen) courtesy of Minky Moo’s, a Minion, a unicorn, a dinosaur, Superman, Dexter Dog from Dexter Sports & the Everyone Active Bee.

Bournemouth Echo:

"The mascots met the pupils outside the Cake me Crazy Cafe at the Canford Heath Local Centre, Culliford Crescent, and headed into school for 8.20am every day last week.

"This event was planned to help promote children in the local community to ditch their cars and highlight the importance of walking to school."