One of York's former Lord Mayors, Jack Archer, is encouraging children to enjoy the benefits of walking, with a special award for Walk to School Month (October).

Mr Archer (88), who is president of Age Concern York and an Honorary Alderman in the city, has offered £200 of sports equipment to the school which has the largest percentage of pupils walking to school.

The competition will take place between Monday 8-Thursday 11 October and every primary school in York has been invited to take part.

Every school that takes part will receive an A3 chart for each class and ten Golden Feet pin badges, to present to pupils who have shown outstanding effort over the week.

Walk to School 2007 is an international campaign. In the UK, the initiative is focusing on how walking to school can help children engage with their local environment, and play a role in the community, rather than viewing the world from the detachment of the back seat of a car.

Linda Capel, the council's sustainable travel officer, said: "Walking to school is great for children in so many ways: it has a positive effect on their health, gives them a real sense of community - and benefits the environment too. If every family left the car at home for just one day a week, and walked to school instead, we would see a real reduction in congestion on our roads. And research shows that children who walk or cycle to school in the morning are more alert and attentive during lessons that those that don't - so it's great for their education too."

Any schools that have not yet signed up for the competition need to contact the council's community leisure officer, Paul Ramskill, on 01904 553372 or email paul.ramskill@york.gov.uk