THE KM Walking Bus Project’s Easter egg hunt at historic Tonbridge Castle attracted a record turn out of families.

The event was a ‘sell out’ with a total of 300 children receiving tickets for the event, which was staged with the active support of Tonbridge and Malling Council. The authority allowed the walk to school charity to stage the event in the castle grounds for free and dispatched a team of staff to run a series fitness challenges on the castle green.

Children from 23 Walking Buses across the county collected pirate treasure coins hidden around the castle grounds and exchanged these for Lindt chocolate bunnies, donated by Whittard of Chelsea, and tasty English Cox apples, donated by Canterbury-based WorldWide Fruit.

Families also took part in a treasure hunt spotting pictures of Jack, the Walking Bus road safety character, hidden in the castle grounds.

Professional storyteller John Rice enchanted three groups of families during the morning from his colourful throne, positioned in a gazebo on the castle lawns. And the Walk to Walk group offered Nordic walking taster sessions for those interested in trying the fast growing sport. On the adjoining site a miniature railway opened up especially for Walking Bus families.

The climax to the day involved Deputy Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling Cllr Ann Kemp formally congratulating attending families for their involvement in Walking Buses. She said she hoped many more schemes would be set up in the coming year.

Cllr Kemp then led children in a countdown before staff from walk to school sponsor Denne Construction released 300 balloons, one for each child attending the day. The firm will be providing five prizes of book vouchers for the balloons that travel the furthest.

Walking Bus sponsor Ringway provided support to stage the day and two engraved ipod shuffle prizes for the free draw. These were engraved with the words To the Walking Bus, from Ringway, and will make the winners a lovely memento of the day at Tonbridge Castle.

Adult draw prize winners:

IPod: Michelle Hillman, First Friends Day Nursery.

Giant Lindt bunny, donated by Whittard of Chelsea, Lisa Dawes, Ryarsh Walking Bus.

Child draw prize winners:

IPod: Emily Winkworth, nine, Monkton Bus.

Whittard of Chelsea ceramic mugs with Lindt chocolate bunnies:

Jamie Philpott, seven, Aldington Walking Bus.

Ryan Peters, nine, Leybourne Walking Bus.

Samuel Dascalescu, five, Leybourne Walking Bus.

Ben Dolby, seven, Wincheap Walking Bus.

Zoe Lane, five, Tunbridge Wells

Jacob Quinn, seven, Joy Lane Walking Bus.