A NEW bus service with a difference took to the road in Tavistock this week — one using foot power, not horse-power.

St Rumon's School is the first infant school in the county to take part in a 'virtual bus' scheme, which involves pupils being escorted to school on foot by six volunteer parents — the 'bus' drivers and conductors.

The new scheme, launched on Wednesday, received the thumbs-up from parents and the young 'passengers'.

There are places for 20 schoolchildren on the bus, who meet at Abbey Rise before making the ten-minute journey to school.

Mags Long, headteacher at St Rumon's, said she first read an article about virtual buses last year, and the idea has taken off from there.

She said: 'Our parents were very keen, because obviously it's not just got health and environmental benefits, it's also that the children come in to school that little bit more vibrant in the morning.

'It increases road safety awareness — if you are in a group with your peers you are far more receptive than when mum tells you to take care.'

She said it was good training for when the children were older and walking to secondary school on their own, and there were social benefits for children and parents.

'A lot of mums have said they have made new friendships too — anything that gets people out of their cars and walking is brilliant,' she said.

Mrs Long said there are plans to run other bus routes to school from Monksmead, Parkwood Road, Whitchurch Road and St David's.

'There's a tremendous amount of work that goes into it — every route has had a risk assessment, you have to have extra signing and branches lopped to increase visibility,' said Mrs Long.

'The Monksmead route will be lovely because it will go through the Meadows.'

Children on the bus will be equipped with special safety bibs by Devon County Council, and some will carry large umbrellas which will identify the scheme to passers-by.

The bibs have sponsors' names on them and Mrs Long was full of praise for Credicott Builders, Tavistock Carpets and Fulfords who are the first businesses to sponsor the scheme.

'It's really nice that local people are supporting the initiative,' she said.

Mrs Long also paid tribute to Karen McClung, who has been heavily involved with co-ordinating the project.

Mrs McClung said: 'All the volunteer parents have been trained by the road safety officer which involves walking the route and pointing out the safety issues.

'They have all got their "driving licences" and all the children have got bus tickets!'

Mrs McClung said organising the bus involved more work than she originally thought — parental consent had to be obtained in all cases as the bus is covered by the county council's insurance.

'The children are very excited, they can't wait to do it — I think it's really going to snowball,' she said.

Caroline Alford is on bus duty twice a week.

She said: 'I think it's excellent, it saves a lot of parents having to walk down every day, especially if they have other little ones.'

Mrs Alford's children, Nathan and Kieran, have also given the bus the thumbs-up.

'They think it's brilliant, they can't wait to put on their yellow tabards, they go down there quite happily,' she said.

Parent Suzanne Heartfield said: 'I work, so it's quite handy for the grandparents to just bring the children to the bus — I think it's a good idea.'

The children's verdict?

'It's good!' said six-year-old Nathan Alford.

'It's fun!' said Chloe Greep, aged five.

And speed merchant Matthew McClung, aged six, said it was nice to walk to school with his friends — but he had just one criticism.

'It's too slow!' he said.