People left their cars at home for the day and came into Lewes on foot, bike, train or in a car-share.

Janette Brown, who helped manage the project for Lewes District Council, said: 'It was a great success.

'There was a real difference in the number of cars parked outside schools and lots of pupils made the effort to walk in.

'I don't have the exact figures but it seemed there was less traffic around on the day and a lot of people told us they'd made the effort not to use their cars.

'Members of staff here also cycled in from Brighton, Seaford and Polegate, and I know the police got involved too.'

The district council, with the help of students from Priory School, also organised information displays in Lewes pedestrian precinct and catering students at Sussex Downs College also transported their catering equipment and food in trolleys to the event.

Plans are already underway to repeat the event next year but may bring it forward to the end of the summer term in order to get the full support of local schools.