Jaiyana Syeda with Mayor Gary Heather and Mayoress Tricia Clarke

JAIYANA Syeda, 10, got a visit from the new mayor this week after winning Islington’s poster competition to promote active travel to school.

Jaiyana lives in Birchmore Walk, Highbury, and goes to Highbury Quadrant Primary School. She says she walks to school and has tried scooting and cycling as well, but admits that she wouldn’t dream of rollerskating (as her poster suggests) as she is “too scared”.

Maria Moraru, who is a pupil at Pakeman Primary, with her poster promoting active travel to school

She added: “I walk to school by myself because I see my friend Zara while I’m walking and I meet her on the way. Active travel is important, so we can keep our air clean and make sure there’s no pollution.”

The budding artist – who would like to work in the arts world one day – said winning the prize for Transport for London’s Walk To School Week poster competition was “surprising”. “I was proud of myself,” she added.

Out of 100 entrants, she and Maria Moraru from Pakeman Primary School shared the borough’s number one spot.