Crumbling, steep and uneven steps used by a Watford school and mosque have been refurbished, paving the way for more children to walk to school instead of being driven.

Officers from Hertfordshire Highways worked on the staircase and footpath by Cherry Tree primary school in Berry Lane, spending about £40,000 to improve the area.

Safer Routes to School engineer Sarah Woodthorpe said: “Before the work the steps were sub-standard, uneven and there was no handrail. We've brought it up to standard.”

As dozens of mosque members queued by the bottleneck created by an end of project photo shoot, she added: “As you can see, it is used by not only people from the school but also by the mosque and many other people.

“With the school this will hopefully encourage more children to walk.”