Arts and crafts hero Phil Gallagher, star of Cbeebies’ Mister Maker, provided a storytime surprise to one lucky school after winning the KM Walk on Wednesday challenge day.

Reading to the whole school at a special assembly, pupils were delighted to have the television personality in attendance.

East Peckham Primary School claimed the Walk to School award for Tonbridge and Malling after competing against fellow schools in the area and county-wide.

Mr Gallagher, himself a resident of Kent, said: “I’m very proud and honoured to be here today. The efforts of East Peckham Primary School are fantastic, and it’s a pleasure to meet the children and support this important initiative within the community.”

He added: “Children who walk to school arrive refreshed, energised and ready to learn, plus they benefit from gaining vital road safety skills.”

Last academic year, KM Walk to School schemes including Walk on Wednesday (WOW), Active Bug, Walking Bus and Green Footsteps helped removed more than 250,000 car journeys from roads across Kent, Medway and Bexley.

As well as providing safer school gates, easing congestion, and teaching children how to use the roads correctly, the initiatives also help lower harmful emissions, reduce noise pollution and provide pupils with an active, healthy start to their day.

Simon Dolby, chief executive at the KM Charity Team which organises KM Walk to School, said: “Well done to East Peckham Primary School on their challenge win. The children have worked really hard with their walking, and we think Phil’s visit is a great way to say thank you. Seeing so many delighted faces was the cherry on top.”

These services are kept affordable thanks to the support of Bel UK, Specsavers, Leeds Castle, Whitefriars Canterbury, Circle Housing Russet, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Eurostar, Southern Water, Golding Homes, Orbit South, Kent County Council, Medway Council, Ashford Borough Council, Maidstone Council and Bexley Council.

If your school would like to get involved with KM Walk to School, visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk