Schools and volunteers who encourage walking, cycling and riding on scooters to reduce rush hour traffic have received awards for their efforts.

The KM Walk to School Awards were held at Canterbury’s Gulbenkian Theatre.

The Kent-wide Top Walking Bus Award went to Leybourne St Peter and Paul Primary. The Top Team Award went to Rainham’s Thames View Primary School.

Top Walk on Wednesday (WOW) School Award went to Dover’s Langdon Primary, and Top Volunteer Award went to Sara Lally from Benenden Primary.

“As well as reducing congestion at the school gates, walking to school creates a healthier environment and lifestyle,” said organiser Simon Dolby.

“These awards recognise the dedication and commitment that goes into running them on a day-to-day basis by parents and staff.”

Music and footage from The Magnificent Seven was a surprise accompaniment when representatives of the seven biggest sponsors Countrystyle, Babybel, Specsavers, Southern Water, Golding Homes, Orbit, and Three R’s Teacher Recruitment took to the stage to be thanked by pupils.

Children from St Mary’s Catholic Primary in Whitstable were shown on the big screen as the soundtrack from the film played. The sponsors donned cowboy hats, while the children told them: “Thank you for helping our walking bus. It’s good for the environment and saves fuel, energy and money.

The KM Walk to School awards exist to honour green travel heroes at schools across Kent and Medway.

Those which have shown an active commitment to green travel – which includes walking cycling and scooting – nominated the staff and volunteers who enable it to happen at the grass roots level.

Music for the event was provided by Phil and Catherine Wilson of Canterbury-based Indepedent Music Productions. Programmes were donated by Herne Bay’s D. Isom Printers.