AYCLIFFE Village Primary School is the first in Sedgefield borough to take part in a new recycling scheme.

Pupils have taken part in several recycling projects in recent years, including collecting white paper for the Butterwick Hospice, and are proud of their efforts.

When headteacher Jo Clarke heard of a kerbside recycling initiative, she contacted the borough council to ask why the school had not been included. The council responded by sending green boxes, used for recycling waste paper, glass and cans, which will be collected on designated days.

Oliver Priestley-Leach, Sedgefield's waste management officer, visited the school yesterday to take an assembly on the benefits of recycling.

The school is also celebrating after claiming the title of Sedgefield's Cleanest Primary School 2003, with a prize of a £2,000 grounds makeover and £400 cash.