Until now the hip-hop scene has appeared more preoccupied with glorifying pimped-out Hummers than promoting sustainable travel.

But one nine-year-old eco-rapper is putting the bling into walking as he records an advert for the dance music radio station Kiss Fm.

Zacky V, from St Mary’s Catholic Junior School in the hood, or rather Carshalton, beat 12,000 pupils to become the voice of Hip-Hop to School Week.

Judges were wowed when he began spitting rhymes such as: “I ain’t gonna get spotty with a big ol’ belly. I’m gonna keep walking and say no the telly.”

Equally impressive was the wisdom implicit in the lines: “Walkin’ to skool ain’t gonna save me a mint. But I’m doin’ my bit for the carbon footprint.”

Councillor Colin Hall heard some of the entries to the contest, organised by Smarter Travel Sutton, to help banish the notorious SUV (sports-utility vehicle) from the school run.

The executive member for environment said: “I think I’ll leave the rapping to the children but I can certainly sing the praises of walking to school.

“I walk with my son most mornings and, aside from it being good exercise and one less car on the road, it’s a great chance for us to catch up and talk about the day ahead.

“Children and parents in Sutton are among the best anywhere for walking, and also cycling to school.

“I hope the week’s entertaining events encourage even more parents and children to leave the car at home and get to school under their own steam.”

Ben Plowden, Smarter Travel director, added: “I’d urge those who haven’t tried the walk to school yet to go the extra mile and test it out.

"People often overestimate how long it takes to walk a short distance, so families may be surprised at how quickly they can get to school or home again at the end of the day.”

More conventional awards went to the Avenue Primary School, Belmont, for having the highest proportion of walking pupils - 85 per cent - and Homefield Preparatory School, Sutton, for most improved performance.

Walking to Skool by Zacky V

There’s a real good reason I’m doin’ this rap.

And it ain’t my dislike of Ballet and Tap.

It ain’t coz I think it’s so very cool.

The reason you see, is I love walkin’ to skool.

Walkin’ to Skool clears my lungs and head.

The first bit of exercise after leaving my bed.

It sets me up for a day of study.

And on the way I often meet my Buddy.

We laugh and chat but we keep the rules.

And we see the traffic wasting all that fuel.

Some kids live nearer but use a car.

What’s the point in that, it ain’t that far.

I say walk the streets coz it helps to get fit.

When you look this good your always gonna be a hit.

I ain’t gonna get spotty with a big ol’ belly.

I’m gonna keep walking and say no the telly.

I do footy, Swimming and Judo too.

But it all starts off with Walkin’ to skool. WAlkin’ to skool ain’t gonna save me a mint.

But I’m doin’ my bit for the Carbon Footprint.

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