EDWIN Boorman, chairman of the Kent Messenger Group, has agreed to become an Honorary Patron of the Kent and Medway Walking Bus project.

Mr Boorman is the third high profile Kent figure recruited to help champion the health and environmental benefits of Walking Buses. Former EastEnders actor Shaun Williamson, who played Barry in the TV soap, and Martin Vye, the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, are also Honorary Patrons of the project.

This week members of the project's management team met Mr Boorman at a function hosted by the Sheriff of Canterbury, Cllr Richard Parkinson, at Canterbury's Tower House.

Mr Boorman said he was extremely pleased to support such a worthwhile community project and praised the parent volunteers who escort Kent's Walking Buses each day.

He said: "Walking Buses deliver real benefits to the families using them, and also to the wider community. As well as ensuring children get daily exercise - which is crucial to their development - they get regular experience at using the road safety skills they learn through the project.

Children also arrive brighter and more alert at school and better able to learn because of the exercise they have had.

"The community benefits from Walking Buses because of the reduction in the number of cars taking part in the School Run. When a school has two or three Walking Buses operating it really starts to make an impact on traffic levels in the streets surrounding the school site.

"I very much hope many, many more schools and parent groups will look at the Walking Bus idea and take it forward. There is a wealth of help and support available to assist."

Project chairman Simon Dolby said the management team of the voluntary group were delighted Mr Boorman had accepted the invitation to support them.

Mr Dolby said: "We are finalising plans to attract extra business sponsors and also encourage more schools to launch Walking Buses - there is no doubt having high-profile figures adding their name to our community project will greatly help on both counts.

"The Kent Messenger Group has been one of this project's strongest supporters so it is extremely good news that Mr Boorman has decided to help us personally."

*To find out more about Walking Buses visit the project's website at: www.kentwalkingbus.org