MULTI-COLOURED cardboard feet were spotted in streets all over Northumberland Heath as schools were about to break up for half-term.

The feet, nicknamed Frankie’s Feet, were part of a campaign by a primary school to persuade more children to walk to school.

For the past month St Fidelis Catholic Primary School, in Bexley Road, has been encouraging parents to get their children out of cars and onto the street to walk, take the bus or cycle to school as part of an international Walk to School month.

Bexley Road is extremely busy and congested so fewer cars would help improve the air quality in the area.

During the last week of the campaign, dozens of the feet were created and hidden in the surrounding streets by school lollipop lady Jeanette Medley and school staff.

Children were encouraged to try to walk all or at least part of the way to or from school every day and find as many Frankies as possible during their walk.

The idea intrigued Bexley Council chief executive Will Tuckley, who went to Northumberland Heath to spot some Frankies himself.

He also took the opportunity to meet Mrs Medley, Bexley’s Lollipop lady of the Year.

Mr Tuckley said: “I am delighted with the enthusiasm of St Fidelis school to get more children out of cars and walking or cycling to school.”

He added: “Finding Frankie has clearly kept everyone focused and given a sense of fun to this initiative.”

Colette Doran-Hannon, the school’s deputy headteacher and co-ordinator of its school travel plan, said: “The Find Frankie the Foot initiative has been a great success.

“I hope they continue to enjoy walking to school.”

She added: “We want to make the environment outside the school as pleasant and safe as possible.”

Altogether 34 Bexley schools took part in the Walk to School month, with another 18 committed to a year-long initiative, Walk Once a Week.

St Fidelis is one of 57 Bexley schools which have adopted a travel plan to help reduce traffic congestion and pollution.