A day of festivities was organised for a group of Walking Bus children from Thanet to celebrate the 10th birthday of their scheme.

Minster Walking Bus has been operating for a decade and has two routes transporting 48 children to and from school each day.

The double routes’ founders, Brian Portanier and Anita Padfield, were presented with a special certificate to celebrate the milestone and children past and present connected to the Thanet Extra-backed Walking Bus were invited to a day at The Powell Cotton Museum and Gardens, Birchington for a picnic, tours and fun and games. A special cake sporting the KM Walking Bus logo was created for the occasion.

As well as a morning route from Tothill Street, co-ordinated by Jane Gwyer and Brian Portanier, a second route goes to and from the school operated by Streetwise breakfast and afterschool club.

Over the years the buses have transported more than 200 children to school, a fact that gave Mr Portanier great pride.

He said: “I can’t believe 10 years have gone so quickly. Since we started up the very first Walking Bus in Kent it has become a successful model copied across the county, which is something we are all very proud of.”

Mr Portanier added: “Our buses would not be the success they are without the support of parents, the school and of course the two head teachers that have served the school over the last 10 years.”

Simon Dolby, chairman of the KM Charity Team which supports Walking Buses and organised walk to school schemes in the county, presented the schemes’ leaders with a special certificate to mark the landmark occasion.

He praised both the parent led scheme and the Streetwise bus for their commitment to the Walking Bus concept.

Keith Dunmall of The Powell Cotton Museum and Gardens provided tours of the museum for the children and helped bring to life the beautiful building and gardens. Pip the clown provided her magic services free to support the day.

There are now 134 Walking Buses in Kent serving more than 2,000 children each week. For information go to www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk.