TWO new tools aimed at encouraging parents and pupils to adopt environmentally-friendly forms of travel to and from school have been launched by Devon County Council.

The county is the first in the South West to make use of a website aimed at making walking, cycling and public transport better for young people.

The council has developed its own Devon

portal on the

http://www.youngtransnet.org.uk">www.youngtransnet.org.uk site, only the second to go on line in the country.

The authority has also produced a school travel guide — Wizard Ways to Get to School — which contains a wall chart with ideas and curriculum topics for pupils. It will be distributed to schools throughout Devon.

Cllr David Morrish said it was 'vital' to encourage families to think about alternative methods of getting to school.

'Many young people are very aware of the environment and we need to demonstrate to them that walking, cycling or using a bus can be cool,' he said.

Tavistock Primary School is working on its own travel plan, in conjunction with Tavistock College.

Primary school headteacher Joe Flynn said: 'Because we are on the same site, it seemed sensible to work on it together.'

The plan will involve the new stretch of cycle path due to be constructed this year alongside the canal footpath, which runs by the boundaries of both schools.

'Once it is finished we will be able to encourage people to come to school by walking and by bike, get some storage for bikes etc — we want to discourage cars far more,' said Mr

Flynn.