CHILDREN were rewarded with a hearty breakfast after getting out of their parents' cars and onto two wheels.

Youngsters from Brook Field Primary School in Shaw were the latest to tuck into a Bike It breakfast with advisers from cycling charity Sustrans as part of a special two-wheeled week at the school.

The school signed up to Sustrans' Bike It scheme at Easter, and their cycle racks are regularly filled with bicycles as children have taken to the project.

Teacher Amanda Butler has even ditched her car to ride to school alongside her daughter, making the healthier journey at least twice a week.

"We have made the effort to think about days when we can cycle and when to leave the car at home," she said. "We do it books and all, although it can be a bit wobbly sometimes.

"It's nice to be able to do something that you realise is good for the environment and it gets the children thinking about that too.

"Talking to Year Ones the other day, they know that by not using the car they aren't putting nasty gasses in the air - as well as cycling making them fitter without having to think about it."

Swindon's Bike It officer Ruth James said she counted 183 bikes at the school, as children arrived to enjoy their breakfast of muffins and croissants, out of a total of 420 pupils.

As well as the breakfast initiative, Brook Field pupils are taking part in cycling safety sessions on the playground throughout the week.

They are being taught techniques to help them stay safe when they are out on the roads on their bikes, and are having the chance to practice them in a safe environment.

Brook Field Primary School is one of 12 in Swindon taking part in Sustrans' Bike It project, which encourages children to choose two wheels instead of four for the school journey.

Bike It is a national project run by sustainable transport charity, Sustrans. Locally, the scheme is supported by Swindon Council.

Further information about Sustrans and Bike It is available at www.sustrans.org.uk.