PUPILS from an Atherton school beat thousands of others to win a place in the final of a prestigious eco-friendly competition.

Out of 1,600 schools, Chowbent Primary was one of 13 finalists invited to London Zoo by the Roots and Shoots programme which promotes recycling and sustainability.

Teaching assistants Vicky Cooke and Stephen Haynes travelled to London with pupils Hannah Howarth, from year six, and Harry Cunliffe, year five, from the school’s eco team.

They created a display showing their school before and after their eco project and spoke to judges, finally coming away with the bronze award.

School governor, Sue Heapy, said she was delighted with the school's efforts.

She said: “The display that the children had to put up showed the school environment before and after and how the school had used recyclable things in lessons.

“It showed how the food that they had grown in the school grounds had been used such as strawberries which had been used in the tuck shop and blackberries which had been used to make jam.

“We had also made links with the local McDonald’s and we used their used coffee beans as compost in the garden. It also showed a picture of the WW1 garden that was in the school grounds.”

The school held numerous fundraising events to pay for equipment to carry out the project and set up an after school gardening club.

“The children were asked what part they had played and why they were part of the gardening club,” Sue said.

“The judges wanted to establish what the children knew and were truly involved in all stages and that they did not just do things because they were told to.

“The children had a very long and busy day and they thoroughly enjoyed it especially the visit to the zoo. The school is very proud of them.”

To find out more about the programme, visit rootsnshoots.org.uk/who-are-we/.