St Andrew's leads the way in recycling competition (From Warrington Guardian)

St Andrew's leads the way in recycling competition

CHILDREN at St Andrew's Primary School in Orford are leading the way in an environmental competition.

The Mardale Avenue school was one of 23 schools in the town taking part in the Yellow Woods Challenge, which encourages children to collect old Yellow Pages directories featuring sand castles on the front cover.

They stole the show after collecting more than 2.5 old directories per pupil and, in reward for their efforts, received £300 and were named 'Gold Oak' winner.

Yellow Pages will also dedicate a tree to the school in a Woodland Trust site as part of the environmental initiative run in partnership with the Directory Recycling Scheme, the Woodland Trust and Warrington Borough Council.

In total, the 23 schools have managed to collect 3,515 directories for recycling into corrugated cardboard by St Regis, the UK's largest paper and board manufacturer.

All the schools will be entered into the Yellow Woods Challenge UK Finals in October, where they will compete with up to 1,200 schools from across the UK to win cash prizes of up to £2,000.

Every pound Yellow Pages awarded to schools in prize money is matched by the Woodland Trust to help protect native woodland.

In addition, the top six schools will each receive a Woodland Trust 'Wild about Woods' pack to teach children about ancient woodland and every participating school will be given a certificate featuring Kirk, the challenge campaign mascot, as well as free environmental educational materials.

Peter Hyde, waste minimisation and recycling officer, said: "The Yellow Woods Challenge has been a huge success in Warrington.

"Schools have had great fun recycling old directories and learning about the environment and woodland. It has also been a great opportunity for the council to raise the profile of recycling locally."

Richard Duggleby, head of external relations at Yell, publisher of Yellow Pages directories, said: "This year's Yellow Woods Challenge aims to build on the success of last year and the results from Warrington prove that young people in the UK are committed to making a difference to their environment.

"I would like to thank the children, parents and council who worked so hard collecting old Yellow Pages directories."

For more information about the Yellow Woods Challenge visit www.yellow-woods.co.uk.