From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, September 05, 2008

PUPILS in Devon schools are being asked to have their say on how young people can be encouraged to use public transport as part of a competition to support Devon Car Free Day on Monday 22 September.

Devon County Council is running a 'Buses are cool' cartoon competition, where participants will have the opportunity to come up with ideas on how to make travelling on buses, coaches and trains more appealing to young people.

The Hare and the Tortoise cartoon featured in the competition depicts a happy tortoise standing at a bus stop while the hare fumes in a traffic jam. Primary age pupils can enter the colouring competition (5 -7 and 8 -11 age categories) and for secondary school students there is a caption competition.

The winners from each category will receive a free day's bus travel in Devon with Stagecoach or First for a family of up to five people, whilst their school will receive £100 of book vouchers. Two runners-up from each category will also receive a £10 book token.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "Bus, coach and rail travel is much safer than car travel. Using public transport is one way in which people can reduce traffic congestion, and their carbon footprint, to help make Devon the greenest county. I hope that Devon schools will use the cartoon competition, and encourage reduced car use on the school run, in support of Devon Car Free Day."

Devon County Council TravelWise Officer, Lesley Smith, who has organised the competition, said: "I hope that teachers will use the cartoon as a classroom project to encourage pupils to think about the issues surrounding traffic congestion and the solutions that public transport can offer. We are looking for colourful cartoons and thought-provoking captions which encapsulate the 'Buses are cool' concept and promote public transport for young people - the drivers of the future."

Schools will also receive a list of ideas on other ways in which they can support the day on 22 September.

One Devon school has already held a very successful event. The "No Car Day" at Landscore Primary in April was a fantastic success following an idea by parents at the school, Mandy Manning and Hannah Thomas.

Landscore normally has between 50 and 70 cars outside the school between 8.20am and 8.55am. On the special day there were just three vehicles thanks to a brilliant effort by parents, grandparents, children and staff. Instead of cars there was an impressive selection of bikes, scooters, roller blades, a skateboard, heelies, as well as those who walked, jogged or came with the walking buses.

Gary Read, Headteacher at Landscore Primary School, said: "All of the parents and pupils commented on how peaceful it was outside the school gate, with fewer cars and no fumes. I think a lot of the children enjoyed having the chance to talk to their friends on the walk to school. We will definitely support Devon Car Free Day and the Buses are Cool competition."

Closing date for the Car Free Day competition is Friday 24 October 2008.

Notes for Editors:

Councillor Margaret Rogers, 01297 680384.

Lesley Smith, 01392 382089.