PUPILS are being encouraged to get on their bikes to get to school.

Lainesmead Primary School in Walcot has unveiled a new covered bicycle stand that has been built with cash from the council's Safer Routes to School Fund.

The school wanted to encourage pupils to cycle to school instead of being driven by their parents.

Headteacher Jeanette Turner praised the efforts of parents, pupils and teachers who all contributed to completing the project.

She said: "Lainesmead is always looking for ways of encouraging pupils to travel to school safely and healthily.

"Identifying the need for a stand and using the safer routes initiative to get it built has been a real team effort and we will be making further bids for schemes in the future."

Swindon Council has a fund of £50,000 from which grants are made to schools who come up with ideas which promote safe and healthy ways of travelling to school.

Schools are keen to cut down on the number of pupils who are driven to school by car.

In some schools the number of cars outside at the beginning and end of the day can reach dangerous levels, and it is hoped projects such as Lainesmead's cycle shelter will cut down the number of vehicles at peak times.

Swindon Council's Hilary Flynn said: "Every year, between 10 and 15 projects such as this get the go ahead from the council.

"The majority are cycle stands but other schemes have included improvements to pedestrian crossings and 20 mile an hour zones included near schools."

Mayor of Swindon, Coun Derek Benfield (Lab, Covingham and Nythe), officially opened the stand.

He said: "Cycling is a healthy way to get school and extremely good for the environment."