A series of online polls to select children's illustrations to promote safe parking outside Ashford schools ends on February 14.

Ten schools in Ashford are taking part in the Parksafe initiative with three extra schools expected to go live this week.

Each school has its own online poll with every child's illustration on display so the public can vote for their favourite. All can be viewed at the children's road safety website www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk/parksafe

The top design at each of the schools will be printed on to a banner and presented to the child illustrator and head teacher by organisers from Kent County Council and partner organisations including emergency services, the Kentish Express and kmfm

The dangers of poor parking were brought home at an incident last academic year when a bus hit a car double parked by Furley Park primary school, Ashford.

The campaign also encourages parents to think about joining or setting up a KM Walking Bus and schools to take part in the Walk on Wednesday scheme. Grant funding is available from Heather Goodacre at KCC to assist schools in the Ashford area with this.

Heather Goodacre, extended school development manager for Ashford, said: "As more parents opt to drive their children to school, so the number of vehicles outside schools grows. The emergency services, together with schools, have become increasingly worried that access to, and past, schools is almost impossible at peak times."

Simon Dolby from the Kentish Express and kmfm charity team said: "We hope closing the poll on Valentine's Day will add another emotive angle to this campaign. Parents are putting children at risk through poor parking outside the school gates as it reduces visibility for children still learning pedestrian skills. Parents should show they care by changing how they park near school or switching to park and stride which involves parking five minutes away and walking the last mile."

For more information view www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk/parksafe or call the charity team on 0844 2640292.

Free family day at Rare Breeds Centre

A free family fun day will be staged at the Rare Breeds Centre, Ashford on Saturday, January 31.

Staged by the Ashford Rural Parent Forum, Parksafe and road safety skills will be one of the themes of the event.

Activities include circus skills, African drumming, cycle skills and bicycle security marking. Families will be able to meet the animals as well as take part in art and craft activities. Cycle storage is available and there will be a free gift for anyone cycling in. Organisers suggest drivers park at Woodchurch and cycle from there if coming from further afield.

Families should go to the Falcon Centre at the Rare Breeds Centre, Ashford to receive their free entry ticket from 11am on Saturday.