Footpaths in Norton-juxta-Kempsey are to be given a £40,000 facelift to encourage children to walk to school.

A survey by Worcestershire County Council showed parents are reluctant to let pupils of Kempsey First School go to school on foot because of narrow country lanes and inadequate or non-existent footways.

Now the council has proposed upgrading the footpath from the parish hall to the school and providing a pedestrian crossing by the school.

"The improvements will be made as part of the county's Safer Routes to School initiative which aims to encourage pupils to walk, cycle or use public transport in preference to being driven by car," said TravelWise officer Nicky Luff.

"The greatest concern was the narrow country lanes and sometimes non-existent footways.

"We propose using the parish hall as a drop off and collection point and then upgrade the route from there."

Preliminary plans of the draft proposal are now available from County Hall in Spetchley Road or by calling 01905 763763.