Christmas came early this week for pupils from Whitstable who won a festive walk to school challenge.

Hirst Class from Joy Lane Primary School were crowned the champions for green travel in a district wide count of walking to school. The class had the most impressive number of children taking part by walking, cycling and even scootering to school on the challenge date of Wednesday, November 26.

They won an exciting trip to Santa’s magical grotto at Whitefriars shopping area in Canterbury, which included storytelling and a Christmas present for each child. The thrilled youngsters collected their prize this week and even demonstrated their green credentials by making the journey to the city by bus.

Simon Dolby from KM Walk to School who organised the contest said: “Thanks to Whitefriars, the children in Hirst Class have enjoyed a super prize to reward their outstanding support for green travel.

“Schools like Joy Lane Primary, who are signed up to KM Walk to School, are helping pupils to establish a healthy lifestyle. They’re striking a blow for childhood obesity and by cutting the number of school run car journeys they’re also improving air quality and traffic flow in the area.

“I invite other schools in Kent and Medway to join our green travel projects and encourage their pupils to incorporate regular exercise into their everyday routine.”

Schools wanting to make a healthy start to the New Year are invited to join KM Walk to School by visiting www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or calling 0844 264 0291.

KM Walk to School is a Kent County Council and Medway Council-led initiative supported by Ashford Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Thanet District Council, Mini Babybel, Countrystyle Recycling, Specsavers, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Eurostar, Chaucer Foundation, Southern Water, Orbit South, Golding Homes, Jelf Insurance Brokers, Leeds Castle, Independent Music Productions and Whitefriars shopping area.

• A visit to Santa’s Grotto at Whitefriars is £4 per child and includes an age appropriate gift. Find out more at http://www.whitefriarschristmasmarket.com/father-christmas/