Almost 20,000 car journeys have been taken off local roads thanks to the heroic green travel efforts of primary schools in Maidstone.

The impressive figure is a result of schools taking part in the award winning KM Walk to School projects Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and Active Bug, organised by the KM Charity Team.

Pupils from St Francis’ Catholic Primary School on Queen’s Road joined representatives from Specsavers and Maidstone Borough Council at the Golding Vision offices to make the official announcement. They revealed the district benefited from 19,658 fewer cars on the road from October to April 2015.

Duncan Haynes, environmental protection team leader for Maidstone Borough Council, said: “Congestion around the town centre is of particular concern in terms of air quality for Maidstone and schemes which take so many cars off the road are really valuable to us.”

The KM Walk to School campaign aims to encourage families to use physically active means to travel - such as walking, cycling and scootering - instead of clogging up roads and increasing air pollution with school run car journeys.

Caroline McBride, community development manager at Golding Vision, said: “Health and wellbeing is something that’s very important to us - encouraging children to walk to school and understand the benefits and the pleasure that they can get from exercise.”

Simon Dolby, chief executive of KM Walk to School, said pupils are reaping the rewards of schools’ dedication to green travel.

“Children who walk to school benefit from regular physical exercise, learn vital road safety skills and are more alert and ready to learn in the classroom,” he said.

KM Walk to School is a Kent County Council and Medway Council led initiative supported by organisations including Ashford Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Thanet District Council, Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Westwood Cross, Southern Water, Countrystyle, Eurostar, Specsavers, Whitefriars shopping area, Leeds Castle, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment and Mini Babybel.

Schools interested in having award winning green travel services in place for the next academic year should visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or click on the links for Walk on Wednesday (WOW) or Active Bug. There is a 20% early bird discount for schools that sign up before July 1.