CHILDREN from 18 Walking Buses across Kent broke the record for the largest Walking Bus ever to walk down a street in the county.

A total of 239 children and 157 adults took part in Big Bus 2006, which this year ended at Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday.

Kent Messenger Group chairman Geraldine Allinson revealed to guests at the event that since January 2 this year a total of 30,000 school run journeys had been taken off the county’s streets by the activities of the county’s 60 Walking Buses and that this had ensured 48 tonnes of C02 gas did not enter the environment.

The information came from a survey of Walking Bus families conducted by the charity during April.

Supporting this year’s Big Bus record attempt were Denne Construction and the Jade Appeal who presented a trophy and book vouchers to schools with the best Walking Bus banner. The overall award went to St Augustine’s School, Tunbridge Wells.

A variety of draw prizes were presented by Ringway, MHS Homes, Cleanaway and the Kent Messenger Group with a family trip to Disneyland Paris awarded to Thomas Smallwood from Briary Walking Bus, Herne Bay.