WALKING Bus children will be going for gold this Easter when the Kent walk to school charity stages a bunny hunt at historic Tonbridge Castle on Saturday, March 31.

Families involved with the county's 70 Walking Buses will be invited to take part in an Easter egg hunt with gold Lindt milk chocolate bunnies available as the prizes.

Whittard of Chelsea, with shops in Ashford, Bluewater, Canterbury, Lakeside, Sevenoaks Tunbridge Wells and a new store due to be opened in Chatham during April, have teamed up to donate 1,000 of the chocolate bunnies for the event.

The store now stocks a large range of Lindt chocolates and is also providing a giant version of the Lindt bunny as the star prize in a free draw which parents bringing their children to the event will be automatically entered into. Five runners-up will receive a ceramic mug with small chocolate bunny inside.

Draw prizes are also being provided by Walking Bus sponsor Ringway, which is providing a GameBoy for the children's free draw and a DVD player for the adult draw.

The event will climax with a balloon race organised by charity sponsor Denne Construction.

Whittard stocks a huge variety of own-blend teas, fresh ground coffees and hot chocolates, supported by every possible piece of brewing equipment. Whittard's Spring ceramic ranges have just arrived in store and whether you need to buy a gift or just freshen up your mug collection, there are always new and innovative designs to choose from.

In the run up to Easter the store is giving a free Lindt chocolate bunny, valued at £2.50, with every mug purchased in store. Ceramic mugs range in price from £4 to £11.

Linda Jakeman from Whittard of Chelsea said: "We are delighted to support the Kent and Medway Walking Bus Project. Teaching children road safety skills and providing parents with a positive alternative to the school run that adds so much traffic to the streets of Kent during term time is extremely important. I am sure the charity will go from strength to strength and hope the bunny hunt attracts many more schools to get involved."

Walking Bus families wanting free tickets to the event should apply at www.kentwalkingbus.org For more information on Whittard of Chelsea view www.whittard.co.uk For details of the Walking Bus Project call Neville Dack on 0797 097 9004.