PUPILS at a York primary school took part in a mountain biking day as part of a national event.

The children from St Oswald’s CE Primary School in Fulford finished first in York and second in Yorkshire and Humber in the Big Pedal event, which encourages pupils, parents and staff to cycle to school, and the event was their reward.

Over the two weeks of the Big Pedal, children and adults made 1,782 bike journeys to and from the school - 1,307 by pupils. On average, 43 per cent of pupils at St Oswald’s cycled to school, almost double the national average of 25 per cent.

Headteacher Rupert Griffiths said: “We are absolutely delighted with this achievement. Many of our pupils, parents and staff cycle to school regularly, including me.

"Everyone made a special effort for the Big Pedal and they are really enjoying their prize. Cycling is better for our health, better for our City and better for our planet, so we hope to build on this success and encourage even more people to pedal to school and work in the future. With the Tour de France coming to York in July it’s an ideal time to get more people cycling.”