Eco savvy school children can stride with pride having been announced top in their districts for a Kent-wide walk to school contest.

The challenge was organised by the KM Charity Team which runs walk to school schemes including Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and Active Bug.

Pupils from hundreds of schools took to the streets on the competition date of October 21. Whole classes made an extra special effort to walk or cycle to school instead of travelling by car in a bid to have the most impressive number of green travellers on the day.

Two representatives from each winning class were invited to a green travel celebration staged at Leeds Castle. Each pair had the honour of collecting a framed certificate and free child entry tickets to the castle on behalf of their class.

Harmanpreet Cheema, 10, of Wrotham Road Primary School, Gravesend, was one of many pupils at the event with a strong understanding of the importance of green travel.

“I like walking to school because it keeps you fit and healthy and it stops pollution,” she said.

Maddie Steger, 10, of Bishops Down Primary School, Tunbridge Wells, added: “It wakes you up, especially when it’s cold, and it helps the environment.”

Leading the applause for the children was mascot Buster Bug and green travel supporters from Kent County Council, Medway Council, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Ashford Borough Council, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Specsavers and Bel UK.

Claire Harris of Medway Council said: “This term the children have done really well to promote green travel by walking, cycling or scootering to school, and to remove cars off the road.”

Other organisations backing the campaign include Whitefriars shopping area, Safer Kent, Maidstone Borough Council, Orbit South, Leeds Castle, Circle Housing Russet, Bexley Council, Eurostar and Three R’s Teacher Recruitment.

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team said: “These pupils and their schools deserve a big pat on the back for supporting healthy and sustainable travel. They are leading the battle against child obesity and traffic congestion and pollution.”

He added: “Schools can still sign up to KM Walk to School this term enabling them to kick start the New Year with our award winning green travel services.”

Schools have until Thursday, December 17 to join Walk on Wednesday (WOW), Active Bug or Green Footsteps. Visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or contact Louise Rogerson at lrogerson@thekmgroup.co.uk or on 0844 2640291.