Pupils from Kent and Medway were in a spin after winning a contest to find the top bookworms and green travel fans in the county.

The classes who led the way for eco-friendly travel to school on the competition date of Wednesday, March 4 were crowned Walk to School district champs. They were the most successful at persuading parents to ditch the family car for travelling by foot, bicycle or scooter.

On the same day youngsters dived into their books in a bid to rack up the most time spent reading at home and help their class to win the title of top literacy champion for their district.

Hundreds of pupils from schools taking part in KM Walk to School projects and the Buster’s Book Club literacy scheme took up the challenge.

The triumphant classes were invited to Silver Blades ice rink for a formal presentation to receive their prize of free ice skating tickets and framed winners’ certificates.

Cheering the children’s achievements were mascot Buster Bug and Silver Blades’ penguin mascot along with key partner organisations Medway Council, Countrystyle Recycling and Three R's Teacher Recruitment.

Other supporters include Kent County Council, Ashford Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Thanet District Council, Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Westwood Cross, Southern Water, Eurostar, Specsavers, Whitefriars shopping area, Leeds Castle, and Mini Babybel.

Simon Dolby of KM Walk to School congratulated the children for their success.

“They are worthy winners for their accomplishments and their boundless enthusiasm for walking to school and devouring books,” he said.

Pupils across Kent have the opportunity to take part in walk to school and literacy challenge days each term and win prizes.

For information, visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or www.bustersbookclub.co.uk.

The full list of winners

• Medway Walk to School champs: Ant Class from High Halstow Primary School.
• Maidstone Walk to School champs: Class 3DM from Loose Primary School.
• Swale Walk to School champs: Seal Class from Iwade Community Primary School.
• Dartford Walk to School champs: Pluto Class from Stone St Mary’s CEP School.
• Ashford Walk to School champs: Knight Class from Furley Park Primary School.
• Shepway Walk to School champs: Sapphire Class from The Churchill School.
• Gravesham Walk to School champs: Class 5D from Wrotham Road Primary School.
• Tonbridge & Malling Walk to School champs: Dickens Class from St Mark’s CEP School.
• Bexley Walk to School champs: Laburnum Class from Willow Bank Primary School.
• Dartford Literacy champs: Sky Class from Manor Community Primary School.
• Maidstone Literacy champs: St Paul’s Class from St Francis’ Catholic Primary School.
• Shepway Literacy champs: Dubai Class from Castle Hill Community School.
• Gravesham Literacy champs: Class 5K from Riverview Junior School.