SCHOOLS across Kent and Medway have stepped up their involvement in the Walk on Wednesday and Walking Bug initiatives to coincide with this term's KM Green Footsteps challenge day.

More than 150 primary schools in the county took part in Walk on Wednesday and the Walking Bug this academic year, which is organised by through a partnership of Kent and Medway councils and the KM Group-inspired walk to school charity.

Leeds Castle donates two free child entry tickets to each pupil in the winning class and the scheme is also backed by a £10,000 donation from HSBC, as well as being supported by the Jade Appeal, The Co-operative and the Chatham Maritime Trust.

Both schemes encourage children to walk to school with their family and friends. Each child has their own tally card and collects stickers when they walk in.

Jackie Chambers from the KM Green Footsteps team said: "We are very excited, as the feedback we have had so far reveals that WOW and the Walking Bug are having a very positive influence on the volume of school-run traffic affecting Kent's streets."

Schools keen to join the WOW or the Walking Bug schemes can contact the Green Footsteps/WOW team by emailing greenfootsteps@kentwalkingbus.org or by calling 01227 825383.