As a reward in coming top of the class for pupils making the most cycling and scootering journeys, four Pembrokeshire schools have been visited by a professional BMX rider.

Tenby VC School, along with Steapside, Ysgol Bro Dewi in St Davids, and Broad Haven schools all scored heavily in the Sustrans ‘Big Pedal Challenge’ - a national inter-school competition which encourages children to travel sustainably on two wheels rather than four.

The number of cycling and scootering journeys were recorded and schools in Pembrokeshire fared exceptionally well, coming 4th in the total country-wide take up of the initiative, with a total of 2,763 journeys made.

Ysgol Bro Dewi was fifth in Wales with 63 per cent take-up; Stepaside was 23rd with 35 per cent and Broad Haven School 44th with 22 per cent.

In its category for Large Primary Schools, Tenby, was placed 331st out of 535 UK schools, also with a 22 per cent take-up.

As a prize, all four schools were visited by professional BMX rider and three times Guinness world record holder, Matti Hemmings, who displayed his amazing skills on two wheels. He also answered children’s cycling questions.

Congratulating the schools, Pembrokeshire County Councillor, Phil Baker, cabinet member for planning and infrastructure said: “It is very pleasing to see our schools doing so well in a national competition that promotes Active Travel.

“Pupils in the county are being encouraged to travel sustainably via schemes such as the Safe Routes in Communities programme and - in conjunction with cycling charity Sustrans - the Active Journeys programme. This helps schools increase the number travelling actively through school activities and events.

“The benefits to health, general well-being and the environment make behaviour change away from travelling by car worthwhile.”