North Oxfordshire families are being encouaged to discover the benefits of walking this Walk to School Week.

Organised between May 20 and 24, Walk to School Week is run by the charity Living Streets and aims to educate children on how a daily active commute to school is beneficial for their physical health and mental wellness.

Cherwell District Council is encouraging families to utilise its health routes in Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington during this period.

Assistant director of wellbeing and housing services, Nicola Riley, said: "Building more physical activity into our daily routines is one of the best choices we can all make for our long-term physical health and wellbeing.

"Childhood is the best stage of life to establish healthy habits, and we know that children who have active lifestyles find it easier to concentrate at school too.

“The addition of fun and accessible health routes in the busiest areas of the district is a significant part of our mission to make Cherwell a place where it’s easy to make healthy choices.

"I hope lots of young people enjoy following them this Walk to School Week.”

Banbury’s health routes are known as 'Shape Trails', with three routes of varying length marked with signs and colourful shapes on the ground.

Kidlington has five zoo-themed walking trails and three 'Explorer Routes', including a new seven-mile circular walk encompassing Begbroke and Yarnton.