A BASINGSTOKE primary school is on a mission to become more environmentally friendly.

Pupils at Chiltern Primary School, in Chiltern Way, Buckskin, have been working on several initiatives to save energy and water at school and at home.

And their hard work has now been rewarded after the school achieved an Eco School Bronze Award, managed by Keep Britain Tidy.

The Eco Committee at Chiltern, made up of 22 children from all year groups, is now working to gain the Silver Award and ultimately, The Green Flag.

Pupils carried out an audit of the school’s energy use including the amount of waste produced and they looked at the recycling system in place.

They then created an action plan to red-uce the school’s carbon footprint by finding ways to save energy and water, as well as encourage staff and pupils to recycle waste.

Members of the Eco Committee organised a ‘Switch-off Fortnight’ to highlight how much energy can be saved by turning off lights and electrical equipment when they are not in use.

They also arranged a collection for unwanted clothes and textiles, which have been recycled and donated to Wastebuster – a company which runs environmental awareness campaigns for schools.

The company gave £132.40 to the school to spend on science equipment, in return for the clothes.

Dave Tickle, the Eco Committee leader, said: “The children have been enthused and inspired with the challenge of reducing the school’s carbon footprint. They have gained considerable knowledge about the environment and the impact they have on it.

“They are all looking forward to the next challenge of designing and creating the Chiltern Primary School allotment and ultimately achieving the Green Flag Award.”