Primary schools across the county have shown their commitment to green travel by taking part in a KM Walk to School Summer Challenge event.

Children walked, cycled, scooted and 'parked and strode' to the school gates on the challenge day, and the schools with the largest participation were rewarded at a special presentation event at Leeds Castle.

The competition was organised by the KM Group’s charitable sector and was open to all schools involved in initiates including Walk on Wednesday (WOW), Active Bug, Green Footsteps and Walking Bus.

The winners were presented with certificates for their hard work and were cheered on by representatives from Orbit South, Whitefriars Canterbury, Three R's Teacher Recruitment, Kent County Council, Bexley Council, Ashford Borough Council and Leeds Castle.

Julia Slade of Kent County Council, said: "Walking to school is extremely important because it encourages children to pursue a more healthy, active lifestyle, as well as teaching them about their surroundings and community. Our champions here today have proven their loyalty to green travel and we hope many more schools follow in their footsteps!"

Emma Owens of Three R's was keen to stress the importance of children's road safety. "We feels its vital to provide children with the knowledge they need in order to be safe and aware when using the roads. Schemes such as KM Walk to School offer young people a fun and informative setting to develop their road safety skills, and it is something we are most proud to support," she said.

Organisations backing the KM Walk to School services which will soon see the arrival of Super WOW! include: Specsavers, Circle Housing Russet, Countrystyle Recycling, Gallagher Aggregates, Silver Blades Ice Rink, Mini Babybel, Safer Kent, Eurostar, Orbit South, Golding Vision (Part of Golding Homes), Leeds Castle, Three R's Teacher Recruitment, Whitefriars Canterbury, Kent County Council, Medway Council, Ashford Borough Council and Bexley Council.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of KM Walk to School, said: “Schools looking to kick-start the 2016-2017 academic year in a healthy and rewarding way are still able to sign up for Super WOW!; our brand new initiative which sees all the best bits of WOW and Active Bug come together to create some really super! Please do get in contact if you are interested."

Children involved with Super WOW! will be provided with regular incentives to keep them engaged with green travel including stickers, trophies and prizes such as great days out. Meanwhile schools will benefit from more alert pupils in the classroom, significantly safer school gates, and reductions in roadside parking, noise and air pollution.

For details of how schools can join Super WOW!, visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or call the KM Charity Team on 0844 264 0291

LEEDS CASTLE SUMMER CHALLENGE WINNERS 2016

Ashford: The John Wesley Primary School - Cedar Class

Bexley: Belmont Primary School - Brazil Class

Canterbury: Parkside Community Primary School - Year R

Dartford: New Ash Green Primary School - Class B2

Dover: Sandwich Junior School - Class 4B

Gravesham: Wrotham Road Primary School - Class 6S

Maidstone: Archbishop Courtenay Primary School - Heron Class

Medway: Walderslade Primary School - Cherry Class

Shepway: Saltwood CE Primary School - Class 2

Swale: Bapchild & Tonge Primary School - Ramsey Class

Thanet: St Crispin's Infant School - Class 9

Tonbridge & Malling: St Mark's CEP School, Aylesford - Fagin Class

Tunbridge Wells: Bishops Down Primary School - Pine Class