Pupils have joined the call to celebrate leading lollipop ladies and crossing guards for braving traffic in all weathers every day to keep families safe.

Top Road Crossing Patrol Officer is a brand new category for the annual KM Walk to School Awards 2016, which are open for nominations until Tuesday, December 1. The awards are a big pat on the back for parents, schools and members of staff who have made great strides in green travel and road safety this year.

Cllr Clive Pearman of Kent County Council (KCC) said: “We’re looking to award for the first time the best school crossing patrol that there is in the county.

“They’re all fabulous people, the work is invaluable in terms of the safety of children and they reassure the parents. It’s an important road safety responsibility but it’s also a social responsibility.”

The nine categories include Top Walking Bus Volunteer, School Staff Award, Kent’s Healthiest School, and Green Champion. Anyone can place a nomination, including pupils, parents and teachers, using the simple online form at www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk.

Theo Panteli, 10, of Blean Primary School is keen to put forward his school’s crossing guard for an award, saying: “We’re going to nominate our school because we think Mr Foreman does a very good job with our school crossing.”

Classmate Keira Padamsee, 10, added: “I think they have to be very brave and they just do it no matter what. They’ll do it in any weather.”

The winners will be revealed at the KM Walk to School Awards 2016 staged by the KM Charity Team at Rowhill Grange, Wilmington, Dartford on Monday, February 8, 2016.

KM Walk to School is a KCC and Medway Council led initiative supported by organisations including Ashford Borough Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Leeds Castle, Circle Housing Russet, Whitefriars shopping area, Safer Kent, Bexley Council, Eurostar, Specsavers, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment and Mini Babybel.

Click here to nominate before the December 1 deadline.