Youngsters embracing green travel in Thanet were rewarded with a surprise gift during their school’s walking bus birthday celebrations.

Minster CE Primary School staged an assembly to unveil a birthday certificate marking an impressive 16 years of the scheme. Pupils were delighted to receive vouchers for Silver Blades ice skating rink as a bonus reward for their commitment to the walking bus.

Head teacher Wendy Stone said: “Our children really do benefit from walking to school every day. On top of that it also helps with the problems that all schools have nowadays regarding congestion around the school.”

Walk to school supporter Bel UK’s Charlotte Lawson-Drackey, who presented the vouchers, said: “We like to encourage children from a very early age to be able to get exercise into their routine. It promotes a really healthy way of living.”

Walking buses are part of the KM Walk to School campaign and require pupils to wear hi-vis tabards as they walk along a set route to the school chaperoned by approved adult volunteers. Run by the KM Charity Team, the campaign also includes the schemes Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and Active Bug.

Last academic year the county was saved from more than 250,000 school run car journeys thanks to families making the switch from driving to walking, cycling, scooting or opting to ‘park and stride’.

Simon Dolby of KM Walk to School said: “I applaud Minster Primary for reaching this landmark anniversary. They’re tackling the dangers of child obesity and traffic congestion and pollution in one fell swoop.”

He added: “Other schools can also take advantage of the many benefits of green travel but they must sign up before the end of this term.”

Organisations urging schools to join the campaign include Kent County Council, Medway Council, Eurostar, Specsavers, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Mini Babybel, Ashford Borough Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Leeds Castle, Circle Housing Russet, Whitefriars shopping area, Safer Kent and Bexley Council.

Schools can register for KM Walk to School by contacting Louise Rogerson at lrogerson@thekmgroup.co.uk, on 0844 264 0291 or by visiting www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk.