Gleeful children swapped walking for racing cars and locomotives as a reward for their green travel success.

Pupils from Birchington CofE Primary School were invited to Hornby Hobbies Visitor Centre at Westwood Industrial Estate in Margate after winning a walk to school competition.

They enjoyed a fun day playing with Hornby favourites such as Scalextric.

The contest was open to schools taking part in the KM Walk to School campaign which includes the Active Wow (Walk on Wednesday) and Green Footsteps projects run by the KM Charity Team.

Hornby consumer activity coordinator Katie Ross said: “The Hornby Business Centre supports local and national charities throughout the year, and we’ve raised quite a significant amount of money.

“When the KM Charity Team approached us about working with Wow to help children get more healthy and active, we jumped at the chance, and offered a free school class visit for the winning class.”

Pupils were full of praise for Wow, with Jessica Marsh saying: “I love walking to school because it saves money and petrol, and there will be less cars on the road and it will be better for the environment.”

George Dilloway said: “It helps the environment and also it’s better than sitting in the car ‑ especially when it is hot.”

And Archie Chapman said: “I like walking to school because when I get to school my muscles are warmed up for tag in the morning, and it helps me run quicker and run better. It helps me wake up and feel more alert so I don’t fall asleep in the morning.”

The children’s comments were echoed by teaching assistant Jacky Bryant, who said: “Birchington School is on a very busy road, so Wow helps the children to learn road awareness.

“This day and age, more parents are bringing their children to school by car, and where we live is quite a congested area. So walking to school on Wednesday is helping congestion in Birchington and making it a safer place for our children.”

As well as Hornby, the green travel work of the KM Charity Team is supported by Whites Transport, Ashford International Hotel, Orbit, Volker Highways, Countrystyle Recycling, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Specsavers, Eurostar, Kent County Council, Medway Council, London Borough of Bexley, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Whitefriars, Maidstone Borough Council, and Ashford Borough Council.

As of September, Active Wow will be rebranded as Super Wow, and schools signing up by July 24 will receive a 20% discount on the price.

The scheme encourages families to walk to school, with classes competing each week to be awarded the Green Class of the Week Trophy. A monthly inter-school green travel challenge awards winning classes tickets to leisure attractions or visits by storytellers.

Find out more at www.KmWalkToSchool.co.uk/wow or by contacting Sarah Clyne at sclyne@thekmgroup.co.uk