An incredible 100,000 school-run car journeys have been taken off Kent’s roads thanks to the hugely successful KM-backed walk to school schemes, Walk on Wednesday and Walking Bug.

Check out the above figures - supplied by schools taking part in the initiatives since October 2007.

Chairman of the KM walk to school charity, Simon Dolby, said: “It is fantastic that the scheme has made such a positive impact."

Schools conduct a simple walk to school survey each week and add the data directly into the KM Walk to School charity’s database.

The numbers walking in each class is compared to school travel census figures which revealed 107,744 car journeys taken off the road since the start of October.

Across the county 1,100 classes are participating in WOW, where pupils walk into school a minimum of one day per week, and 96 classes use the more intense Walking Bug scheme which gives pupils incentives to walk to school every day of the week and has class-based curriculum work.

The Maidstone area registered the highest Kent total of cars taken off the road at 20,849. Canterbury followed with 19,219 school-run journeys removed while the Dartford area came in third place with 16,756 fewer cars.

WOW and Walking Bug schemes are operated in partnership with Kent County Council and Medway Council and are sponsored by HSBC, highway firm Fitzpatrick, the Chatham Maritime Trust and the Jade Appeal.

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Walking benefits

* Walking for half an hour can burn 200 calories and more calories than an average PE lesson

* On average, every minute of walking can extend your life by 1.5 to 2 minutes.

* Longer, moderately-paced daily walks (40 minutes at 60 per cent to 65 per cent maximum heart rate) are best for losing weight.

* Shorter, faster walks (20-25 minutes at 75 per cent to 85 per cent maximum heart rate) are best for conditioning your heart and lungs.

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To find out more about WOW and Walking Bug call Jackie Chambers on 01227 825383 or view www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk