Kent schools are leading the way when it comes to cutting down cars on the school run.

Our county's been named a national leader for getting pupils using public transport, cycles or walking buses instead.

Figures just released estimate that more than 200,000 school run car trips have been saved in the past year by special walking initiatives.

The statistics also show that the number of pupils travelling to school by car in Kent has dropped from 35.6 per cent to 31.4 per cent over the past four years - making Kent a national leader.

In total 94 per of Kent's 592 schools now have travel plans which aim to help children use more sustainable travel, and walking initiatives have been set up by Kent County Council along with the KM charity.

These include Walk on Wednesday and the Walking Bug, which 140 schools are now signed up for.

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Nick Chard reacted to the news that Kent is now a national leader at getting kids out of the car on the school run: "It's great news, Kent is doing a really good job.

"And it's not just Kent County Council; we work very well with the Kent Messenger Group who also supports us a great deal.

"We're making a real difference to children's lives. It improves children's health, it improves the local environment and it's really good news for Kent."

Supporters of the three schemes were invited to a special event at Leeds Castle to celebrate the good news.

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team, which runs the schemes, said: "Reducing school-run traffic is vital to the environment and economy.

"Encouraging families to walk children to school has important health benefits and I congratulate everyone involved."

Mr Dolby added that information and advice on the schemes would be available at a Walk to School Forum next month.

It is being held at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham and will feature a range of workshops including basic road safety, a walking bus clinic and first aid.

To find out more visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk

• The walking bus is a Medway and Kent County Council initiative sponsored by Denne, Bel UK, Ringway, Veolia Environmental Services, Warburtons and Eurostar. WOW and Walking Bug are supported by Bel UK, Denne, Ringway, Eurostar, Leeds Castle and the Powell Cotton Museum Quex House and Gardens.