PUPILS at a Basingstoke school won a £460 pod to store their scooters after coming top in a county-wide competition.

Pupils at Kempshott Infant School took part in Hamp-shire County Council’s inter-school scooter challenge during International Walk to School Month.

Rather than being driven to their school, in Old Down Close, by car, children were encouraged to use their scooters instead.

The school was announced as the winner of the challenge because the highest average number of pupils joined in, with 226 taking part.

They were presented with a ‘Scooterpod’ to install at the school to keep their scooters safe during lessons.

Nicola Potter, acting headteacher, said: “We are very proud of all the children who took part in the inter-school scooter challenge.

“The children were amazed and very happy when they found out they were the winners.”

Councillor Mel Kendal, deputy leader and executive member for environment and transport at Hampshire County Council, said: “I hope that all those who participated in the challenge and took the opportunity to scooter to school, or walk, when they would normally travel by car to school, will notice a difference and continue to walk, scooter or event cycle.

“Doing so, should help to reduce congestion on our roads, particularly at peak times. In the UK, over half of primary school children do not walk to school regularly.

“Although this is unavoidable in some cases, being driven to school every day means that children do not learn valuable lessons about road safety and how to keep themselves safe.”