PUPILS at a Tyne Valley school have had their environmental efforts recognised for the fifth time.

Children at Ovingham First school received their fifth Green Flag Award from Eco Schools for their continued hard work to protect our planet.

The award recognises their efforts to try and integrate environmentally friendly choices into everything the school does.

Each class elects an eco-councillor at the beginning of the academic year to make decisions on which environmental projects to focus on.

Headteacher Andrew Hudson said: “We are thrilled to have achieved our fifth award. The whole school is committed to working to reduce our impact on our natural resources.

“We have been particularly proud of the initiative with the local community, where we are collecting and recycling crisp packets in partnership with local residents.”

To achieve their fifth award, children had to demonstrate that environmental practices were embedded within the school culture and sustained throughout the year.

Recent projects included work to create an outdoor classroom with a variety of habitats, working alongside the school caretaker.

This classroom is based in a a self contained area of land on the school site which had become overgrown but had been transformed into an impressive space for learning for children of all ages.