An incredible 240,000 school run car journeys were taken off the county's roads during the last academic year thanks to KM Walk to School partnership.

The charity's achievements were celebrated at a glittering awards night held at the Corn Exchange, Rochester, on Friday (Nov 28).

What began as a fledgling operation in the year 2000, with just a handful of Walking Bus schemes, has grown beyond recognition to encompass thousands of children and volunteers gaining national accolades on its incredible journey, including the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2005.

The reduction in the number of cars came from schools, parents and children embracing the Walking Bus scheme, which took 100,000 cars off the road, and Walking Bug and Walk on Wednesday schemes, where 140,000 car journeys were removed.

KM Walk to School chairman, Simon Dolby, said he was extremely proud to lead the charity in its mission to cut down on school-run traffic, teach children road safety skills, encourage them to take exercise and help fight the obesity time bomb.

Mr Dolby said: "This has been an amazing year for the charity. We have seen an explosion of interest in our walk to school work. The countywide launch of Walk on Wednesday (WOW) was a massive success. Instead of 100 schools taking it up 1,100 classes embraced the scheme. That is 30,000 children involved - and the numbers are even bigger this year - up by 10 per cent."

The KM Group's backing for the charity, along with that of key sponsors has been key to its meteoric rise. In particular the development of the KM's local news websites has helped to get the message across and highlighted the involvement of sponsors.

Mr Dolby also praised the Walking Bug scheme, which now has 162 classes involved, up 50 per cent from last year. He said that the value of all the schemes centred on the partnerships they created between schools communities and parents.

But the highlight of the evening was the announcement by KM Group senior editor Bob Bounds that the scheme that started the whole success story - the Walking Bus - had far exceeded its expected growth in numbers to 100 buses. He said: "I am delighted to announce that there are now 136 Walking Buses operating in the county, with at least 30 more in the pipeline. That is a staggering number and is way past the target of 100 schemes.

"To put that into context there are now 1,000 volunteers taking a turn each week to escort a Walking Bus, and those buses are transporting 3,000 children to school each week."

During the glitzy evening guests drawn from schools, volunteers, sponsors and supporters, enjoyed a buffet and Fairtrade wine, supplied by the Co-op. They were entertained by kmfm DJ Louis Hurst, who took charge of the popular fund-raising heads or tails game and by comedy troupe The Noise Next Door. Guests also had the chance to win fabulous prizes including a holiday to Disneyland Paris.

Mr Dolby thanked all whose support has helped to make KM Walk to School what it is today and praised Veolia Enviromental Services whose sponsorship made the awards night possible.

In the list of honours the following schools gained the top award in the county. Kent's Greenest School Award sponsored by Veolia Environmental Services - Deanwood Primary Education Technology School: Top Walk On Wednesday School sponsored by Fitzpatrick and HSBC - Maundene County Primary School: Top Volunteer, sponsored by Denne Construction - Brian Portanier of Minster Walking Bus: Top Partnership School, sponsored by Ringway - St Andrew's school and Walking Bus: Top Walking Bus presented by Phil Filmer of Medway Council -Skinner Street Primary School.

For more information view www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk