A fun and funky cartoon character has been created by transport authority Centro to encourage children across the West Midlands to use buses, trains and trams or walk and cycle during the summer holidays.

Green transport mascot Theo will be touring Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and the Black Country during June, July and August, at a series of entertaining and interactive Network West Midlands summer events for families.

Some of the West Midlands top attractions including the National Sea Life Centre, Dudley Zoo, Cadbury World and the Lighthouse Cinema have also teamed up with Theo and are offering discounted entry for people who travel by public transport.

All people need to do is show a valid nnetwork daytripper or nbus one day ticket at the front desk with a voucher from the summer travel guide – available from travel shops or to download at networkwestmidlands.com – to get their special offer admission.

Children can meet Theo at Network West Midlands summer events at several parks across the region, where there will be music and sporting activities for children and pampering sessions for parents all absolutely free!

He will also feature on different modes of public transport across the region.

Youngsters can collect a Summer Holiday Diary from the events, travel shops and at several family attractions to record where they see him.

The diaries, which can also be ordered from networkwestmidlands.com, are filled with fun games, puzzles and activities, and allow kids to stick in photos and souvenirs from their holidays and trips out over the summer.

Children can also collect special diary stickers from attractions and the summer events if they spot a big sticker of Theo somewhere nearby.

Rinku Banerjee, Marketing Executive at Centro said: “Theo is a friendly and funky character that children will be able to see out and about all over the West Midlands this summer.

“He’ll be taking part in sports activities in the region’s parks, can be spotted at our top attractions and will give children the chance to build knowledge, experience and confidence in using green travel modes in an entertaining and enjoyable way.

“We hope families will come and join Theo and the Network West Midlands team for a series of fun and enjoyable sports days during June, July and August.”

The first event is taking place in Cannon Hill Park on Wednesday June 2. Then, throughout the main summer holiday, there will be 13 events at different parks across the region, details of which can be found at www.networkwestmidlands.com

Theo has been created to link into Centro’s award winning Letzgogreen website, where a series of similar colourful characters feature in animated cartoon strips, games and puzzles.

The website has been designed to show children how to use green travel modes, be streetwise and behave responsibly on the transport network across the West Midlands while also linking in to the school curriculum.