BEMUSED shoppers and tourists were treated to a riot of colour and noise as Canterbury's largest "Walking Bus" processed past. Almost 60 children from five different schools donned special reflective safety waistcoats and baseball hats and sang the Walking Bus song as they took part in the record attempt through the city centre.

The crocodile of children assembled in the Longmarket before moving down The Parade and High Street to Pizza Hut, where they were welcomed by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Fred Whitemore, who was treated to an extra verse from the song, which was created by parents and pupils at Reculver School.

Pizza Pooch was also present as the children and adult volunteers celebrated setting a new Walking Bus record.

Children can catch a Walking Bus from pre-arranged stops and walk with it along a set route to school. The pupils and adult helpers all wear reflective waistcoats and bright baseball caps which are provided free to schools in Canterbury, Whitstable Herne Bay and Faversham. The scheme is insured by Kent County Council, who also check all routes.

The Walking Bus Group, which is supported by the Kent Messenger Group, also provides incentives to the children and adults. Each child who used the bus can get free tickets to attractions like the city council swimming pools, Wingham Wildlife Park and a free meal at Pizza Hut. Adult helpers can enter a prize draw and the winner of the Christmas draw will receive a family break to Eurodisney, Paris, provided by KM's Headline Travel.

An information pack is available to parents and schools wanting to set up a bus. For more information call Simon Dolby on 07989 164 752.

Cllr Whitemore said: "This is a safe, environmentally friendly and very much a fun way of going to school. We want to see more of them in schools around our district."

Pupils from Briary, Reculver, Wingham, Ospringe and Hamstreet schools took part in the record attempt and were rewarded with free pizza and drinks after

KCC road safety officer Jan Wickham confirmed that a record had been broken.

There were 56 children and 32 adults, smashing the previous East Kent record of 35 children.

Canterbury group chairman Simon Dolby said: "I am delighted that we have broken the record and that so many children turned up. The publicity from this event and all the other coverage we receive will hopefully persuade more schools or parents' groups to contact us and find out about setting up their own bus.

"The environmental benefits are obvious and it really is great fun for the children and the adults who help out too."

The event was planned to promote National Walk to School Week this week and Mr Dolby promised next year's event would be even bigger as long as the sponsors continued to support it.