WASTE-CONSCIOUS pupils are celebrating after their school was the only one to be recognised in environmental awards.

The Ferryhill Interact Club, at Ferryhill Comprehensive School, was among eight recipients of the 2002 Environment Awards, held at County Hall, Durham, yesterday.

The school was also one of only two groups to receive a £100 prize.

The competition, which is organised by Durham County Council, is the only one of its kind in the region and is in its 14th year.

This year, 39 entries were received across a range of categories, and nine commendations were given.

Ferryhill Interact was recognised in the waste category for its efforts to recycle used school materials.

Parents, staff and governors were involved in a waste audit, resulting in paper, printer cartridges and aluminium cans being recycled. The proceeds are being donated to the Butterwick Hospice and animal shelters.

Technology teacher Melanie Cormack said the award was welcome recognition.

She said: "We are absolutely delighted. The students feel very proud, excited and honoured to be part of such a valued scheme."

Among the other award winners were, in the built environment category, a timber courtyard extension to a Grade II-listed former vicarage, in Laithkirk, near Mickleton in Teesdale; restored premises in Fore Bondgate, Bishop Auckland, and the Four Clocks Centre, also in Bishop Auckland.

The restoration of Blackhill and Consett Park was recognised in the natural environment and countryside improvement category, while St Mary-le-Bow Durham Heritage Centre won an award for the repair and repointing of its stonework.

Durham County Council chairman Alan Fenwick said: "This year, the scheme has been very successful, with a very high number of good quality projects both large and small making the judges' job particularly difficult."

The award and commendation recipients were: The Old Vicarage, Laithkirk; Fore Bondgate, Bishop Auckland; the Four Clocks Centre, Bishop Auckland; The Dovecote, Rokeby Park, Barnard Castle; St Mary-le-Bow Durham Heritage Centre and Museum; The Tower House, Lartington; 283 Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland; 16 The Village, Brancepeth; Blackhill and Consett Park; Durham Crematorium; Brandon Allotments; Ferryhill Comprehensive School; Wingate Community Centre; the World Citizenship Project, Durham; Swallows Nest Holiday Cottage, Cockfield; Asda superstore, Bishop Auckland; Hamsterley Forest; Woodhouse Park, Peterlee, and Willington Community Resource Centre.