Leading housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is urging parents to leave the car at home and walk their children to school in a bid to get fit this autumn.

Childhood obesity levels are soaring, with a third of 10 and 11-year-olds now classed as overweight or obese*, yet walking to school is one of the easiest ways for families to increase their level of physical activity.

As part of Walk to School Month, which ran throughout October, Taylor Wimpey provided 30 high-visibility wristbands to encourage pupils at Wanborough Primary School in Swindon to walk to school – and help keep them safe on the journey.

Nikki Gibson, Associate Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, which is building new homes at its Wanborough Gardens development, said: “It’s astonishing that a third of Year 6 schoolchildren nationally are considered overweight or obese, yet just a small amount of activity – like walking to school – can make such a difference.

“We are committed to supporting the communities in which we build our high-quality new homes, which is why we have donated wristbands to Wanborough Primary School.

“We understand that family life can be busy, but we hope our contribution will help inspire families to swap the car for a safe walk to school instead.”

Andy Drury, headteacher at Wanborough Primary School, says: “We encourage the children to walk to school to promote a healthier lifestyle and to reduce traffic outside the school.

"We are very grateful to Taylor Wimpey for this generous donation which will help raise the profile of Walk to School Month among pupils and parents alike.”

Taylor Wimpey is also offering parents some handy tips on how to make the walk to school more fun:

• Play a simple game of I Spy to encourage children to take notice of their surroundings

• Invite children to spot a street name for different letters of the alphabet

• Challenge children to spot as many different animals and birds as possible

• Help children to draw a map of their route to school Walk to School Month is an annual nationwide campaign that promotes the benefits of walking to school, which results in healthier young people and less traffic on the roads.

Four and five-bedroom homes available at Taylor Wimpey’s Wanborough Gardens development are priced from £499,000.

To find out more about the homes available, contact Atwell Martin estate agency, located at 56-57 Godwin Court, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 4BB, or call 01793 680422.

Further information about Taylor Wimpey developments across the region is available by calling 01235 541900 or visiting www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

* According to the National Child Measurement Programme, 33.3% of Year 6 children are classed as overweight or obese.