A HEAD TEACHER has been inundated with requests from pupils all keen to join the KM Walking Bus, after a spectacular official launch event held at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Broadstairs.

"There was a tremendous turnout of people and great enthusiasm at our launch event and since then pupils have been rushing to put their names down on a waiting list to join the Walking Bus," said Mrs Diane Holland, St Joseph's head teacher.

She added: "I have also had parents come forward to offer their services as drivers and conductors on the Walking Bus."

The official Walking Bus launch was at the heart of a special assembly held at the St Peter's Park Road school, which was attended by councillor John Fullarton, Walking Bus trustee Stuart Smith, of Thanet District Council, and key sponsors of the project from Lovetts Estate Agents, Minters of Deal, the Co-op and Pfizer.

The school is operating two routes, one leaving from Our Lady Star of the Sea Church and the other from St Peter's recreation ground and there are 26 children in total on board.

St Joseph's site manager, Mr Barry Sussex, doubles up as Walking Bus co-ordinator at the school which has been at the forefront of many walk-to-school initiatives, including Walk to School on Wednesday (WOW) and the park and stride scheme. St Joseph's has obtained special permission from Thanet District Council for parents to park cars for free in the pay and display car park at Broadstairs train station, so that children can then stride into school for the final part of their journey on the Walking Bus.

Mr Sussex said: "The school's Travel Plan Committee has really got behind the Walking Bus and the children think it is fantastic, especially because it helps keep them fit."

The overwhelming success of the scheme has taken Mrs Holland by surprise, she admits. "As we are a faith school our pupils come from a wide catchment area across Thanet and I was sceptical as to how we could make it work at first, but now I am totally convinced."

As well as the Kent Messenger Group and local firms, the Walking Bus, which is a KCC-led initiative, is sponsored by Denne, Ringway, Veolia, AXA PPP healthcare and Thanet District Council. For more information on Walking Buses view www.kentwalkingbus.org or call project officer Dee Murphy on 07813 674836.