Pupils at primary schools in Kent are close to hitting their target for removing school-run car journeys from local roads this academic year.

So far across the county the Walk to School campaign has removed 170,000 school run journeys, which is 30,000 off the target.

But Matt Trusty, Specsavers Walk to School Ambassador, is confident the small army of families walking, cycling and using scooters to travel to school, will smash the target.

Mr Trusty said: "With the budget focusing on health issues and childhood obesity, there has never been a more important time for families to join the walk to school campaign."

Simon Dolby, organiser of the KM Walk to School schemes used by 150 schools in the county, said: "We still have a long way to go to reach 200,000 car journeys removed figure. This is the 10th anniversary of Walk on Wednesday and Active Bug - our two main schemes - and so we know schools will make a massive effort to pass the target and help to make Kent a cleaner and greener county."

As well as Specsavers, the Walk to School campaign is supported by Mini Babybel, Orbit South, Golding Homes, Three R's Teacher Recruitment Agency, Eurostar, Kent County Council, Medway Council and Bexley Council.

It is not too late to join the campaign. To find out more visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or follow the KM Charity Team on Twitter or Facebook.