School travel co-ordinator Karen McGrath and engineer Philippa Gilhooly from Scottish Borders Council have won the award for “best practice in travel to school and work” in the Scottish Transport Awards.

They launched the “Green Feet Forward” award scheme in April 2008 to encourage primary pupils to use buses where possible and think of alternative means of getting to school than a lift from their parents.

As part of the scheme, they created their own trophy - a giant tartan foot for use in each school.

“Tartan weavers Lochcarron of Scotland supplied free spare kilt fabric, inmates at Cornton Vale prison sewed the feet, and council staff fill the feet using recycled stuffing from donated quilts and pillows,” said Ms Gilhooly.

Pupils are rewarded according to how they make their journey to school: 10 points for walking, cycling or a bus or taxi trip; five for “park and stride” - when they are dropped off away from school and walk the rest of the way; and one for being driven to school in a private car. The class with the most points is given the tartan foot for a month.

Some schools have seen car use drop by more than 11 per cent.