PUPILS from an Edinburgh school helped Clean Air Day Scotland celebrate its fifth birthday – with a call for motorists to leave the car at home when the campaign takes place on June 17.

Sciennes Primary School is one of 12 in the city to run a “school street” where the road outside is shut to vehicles at certain times during the school day to encourage children to walk and cycle, improving their health and reducing exposure to air pollution from vehicles.

With today marking one month until Clean Air Day, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Frank Ross, helped Sciennes’ primary six Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSO’s) Eilidh Mowbray, Amy Yang, both aged 10, Rory Smith, aged 11, and a group of primary seven pupils launch the annual campaign in their Sciennes Road school street.

Pupils designed bunting which was hung by staff on the school railings in the once congested and polluted road and the youngsters signed pledges to walk and cycle to school and ditch the car.

The pupils were presented with the first-ever Clean Air Day colouring book – a collaboration between Environmental Protection Scotland and art students from across Scotland – which has drawings for children to bring to life an air pollution and environmental theme.

The campaign is Scotland’s main air quality campaign since the first National Clean Air Day took place in June 2017. The campaign is encouraging people to consider walking or cycling less polluted side streets after research found this could reduce a child’s exposure to air pollution by 30%. Clean Air Day campaigners also want people to consider the purchase of an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle ahead of the ban on the sale of new petrol, diesel cars and vans from 2030.

Sciennes Primary School’s headteacher Andrew Hunter said: “Sciennes Primary School has supported Clean Air Day for many years and our involvement has helped our pupils learn about air pollution and how it can affect health. The campaign supports our promotion of the benefits of active travel and care for the environment.”