WORLD record breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont is calling on families across the region to take up the challenge of ‘Around the world in 10 days’, as part of Sustrans’ Big Pedal 2018.

The event, which runs from April 23 to May 4, aims to get pupils, parents and teachers from schools across the UK cycling and scooting their journeys to and from school.

Participating primary and secondary schools will compete against one another in a bid to make the most journeys by bike or scooter, with last year’s total surpassing one million rides.

Mark currently holds the Guinness World Record for cycling around the world in 78 days, and this year’s competition will adopt a similar format, with pupils tracking their progress on a map of the world and learning about the countries Mark passed through on his trip.

He said: “I’m delighted to be supporting the Big Pedal 2018.

“It’s a great initiative for getting more young people on their bikes and scooters, building their confidence and independence in a fun and engaging way.

“Encouraging young people to cycle and scoot from an early age not only boosts physical and mental health, it also helps build good habits for independent and active travel into teenage and adult life.”

Last year’s event saw nearly 1700 schools take part, saving over 700 tonnes of CO2 from car emissions.