CHILDREN from a Herefordshire primary school last week attempted to walk into the record books, as part of the world's largest walking bus'.

St Mary's CE Primary School in Fownhope took part in the event at Fownhope Recreation Ground to highlight road safety.

The school's involvement in the record attempt was organised by teacher and travel co-ordinator Clare Buck, as part of a national-wide drive to raise money for road safety charity Brake, and their work in supporting the victims of road crashes.

Pupils Thomas McConkey and Monty Seaborne led the walking bus through the streets of the village, carrying banners urging drivers to look out for kids' and the government to introduce more 20mph speed zones around schools.

In 2006, 57,476 children from 342 schools around the country took part in the event, raising £38,000 and creating a Guinness World Record.

This year Brake, once again in partnership with Asda, were hoping to break their own record with around 80,000 children expected to take part.

Jools Townsend, head of education at Brake, said: "53 children a week and seven children a day are killed or seriously injured while out walking or cycling, leaving families and communities torn apart by grief.

"These preventable deaths must stop and schools can play an important role in providing children with a safe, green and healthy alternative to the school run' in the car.

"A Walking Bus is an ideal way for children to learn road safety lessons which could one day save their lives. Through this national initiative we are also educating drivers that, at 35mph, you are twice as likely to kill a child you hit as at 30mph.

"Every driver must take responsibility for their actions, stick to the limits and slow down when there are children around."

Brake believe the walking bus could become a regular way for many primary school children to get to school. By holding hands and being supervised by adults, the children are safer, and because it means mum or dad leaving their car at home, it benefits the environment too.