ACTOR Shaun Williamson is appealing to organisations and businesses in Kent to support an appeal to fund a project dedicated to cutting the number of children killed or hurt in traffic accidents.

The former EastEnders star is an honorary patron of the KM Walking Bus project which is searching for firms to sponsor sets of high visibility tabards so more can be issued to schools and parent groups keen to launch Walking Buses.

The project also needs to find 21 organisations to donate £1,000 each to enable a member of staff to be employed. This will allow the community project to expand county-wide and to step up its service locally.

Mr Williamson, who played the part of Barry in the soap, said it was vital the appeal succeeded in attracting extra support.

He said: "Walking Buses are excellent because they teach children vital road safety skills and give them daily exercise. They also enable parents to share the job of escorting children to school and so cut down on the numbers of cars taking part in the daily School Run.

"The modern generation are not as active as those previously and prefer to play computer games rather than kick a ball about. Health experts are worried at the rising numbers of obese children and believe this will have grave consequences for the nation.

"Walking Buses and recreational walks are a great way to give children the exercise they need and help them to develop a love for a more active way of life.

"I hope organisations out there will support the appeal and write a cheque out today. It costs £500 to buy all the kit needed to get a Walking Bus up and running and the name of the organisation is screen-printed on to the tabards worn by those on the 'bus' - and those nice people at the KM will even do a story to highlight your support of the project, so what are you waiting for!"

To request an information pack on sponsoring the Walking Bus project contact its chairman Simon Dolby on 07989 164 752 or e-mail: kentwalkingbus@aol.com

MEANWHILE, organisations supporting the KM Walking Bus project will be invited to a reception and photocall where they will be formally thanked by its honorary patrons.

Sponsors can select one of three receptions to attend across the county. Actor Shaun Williamson is hosting the reception at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham on Thursday, October 28. Kent Messenger Group chairman Edwin Boorman is attending the reception at Ashford's Charter House on Thursday, November 4 and the Lord Mayor of Canterbury Martin Vye will host the reception at Tower House, Canterbury, on Friday, November 5.

SETTING UP a Walking Bus is easy and help is available every step of the way.

Schemes teach children vital road safety skills and also provide parents with a positive alternative to taking part in the twice-daily school run.

'Buses' operate with parents joining a rota to escort the column of children along a set route to and from school. Typically a parent only has to help escort the column one or two days a week compared to taking their child to and from school daily. The scheme picks up children at prearranged stops and all involved wear high-visibility tabards and baseball caps. All adult helpers are police checked.

For details on Walking Buses view: www.kentwalkingbus.org