I have been utterly inspired recently when observing our good friends and neighbours, along with other neighbours on our street arranging a 'walking bus' for taking their respective children to school.

As it happens we live on a street with a number of families of similar age groups and with children of similar ages - and some of the children on the street attend the same school.

The concept of a walking bus was discussed by the parents involved as all the parents wanted to avoid where possible driving their children to school, both to reduce their emissions and to keep the children fit and active - not couch potato children. As most of the parents go out to work, they have agreed a rota and the parents each take responsibility for walking all of the children to school - in 'walking bus' fashion, on their allotted day or days.

I will often look out of our window and it really is lovely to see this little troupe of children walking together to school, chatting animatedly to each other as they do, along with their 'responsible adult'. What better way to start the children's day and what a wonderful example they are being set at this young age.

Our children are not quite yet at school age, and I certainly don't want to wish the time away until they are. However  - I have to say that I am actually really looking forward to being able to walk our children to school and I hope that there will be other families close by with whom we can have our own 'walking bus' !!