It was a case of hats off to green travel for pupils in Maidstone as they celebrated four years of their school’s walking bus.

The birthday celebrations at St Francis’ Catholic Primary School took place during morning assembly with pupils proudly wearing their hi-vis tabards. Amy Woods from Three R’s Teacher Recruitment which supports KM Walk to School joined in the festivities presenting the children with a birthday cake.

What’s more the youngsters received free limited edition KM Walking Bus baseball caps to wear on their journey to school every day.

Pupils who use the school’s walking bus will also be treated to a special visit to Build-A-Bear, Maidstone, to create and clothe their very own walking bus mascot.

Walking bus is part of the KM Walk to School initiative led by Kent County Council and Medway Council and supported by Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Westwood Cross, Southern Water, Countrystyle, Eurostar, Whitefriars shopping area, Leeds Castle, Mini Babybel, Ashford Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, Maidstone Borough Council, and Thanet District Council.

Walk to school coordinator Linda Martin said the school was very proud to be celebrating the bus’s fourth birthday.

She said: “We have a fantastic team of ten parent helpers, who give up their time each morning to escort the children into school. The children enjoy walking and are prepared for most weather conditions.”

Simon Dolby, chief executive of KM Walk to School, said: “Walking bus offers a safe, healthy and eco-friendly way for pupils to get to school – and the children love it.

“I’m delighted that St Francis’ Catholic Primary School’s walking bus has been going strong for four years helping pupils to develop healthy habits, cutting traffic congestion and improving safety at the school gates.”

For more information or schools wanting to register for KM Walk to School projects including walking bus, Walk on Wednesday (WOW), Active Bug and Green Footsteps, visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or call 0844 2640291.