ENVIRONMENTALLY concerned youngsters have earned an international award for their school.

Timothy Hackworth Primary School, Shildon, has received the International Eco Schools Award from Encams, formerly the Tidy Britain Group.

Leading the school's environmental projects is the EcoClub, an after-school club which has had 200 members since it was formed in November 1998.

It has held litter-picks around the town, encouraged recycling and enhanced the school site by adding colourful planters to the playground.

Teacher Deborah Buxton, the school's environmental education co-ordinator, runs the club.

She said: "The whole school was thrilled, because everyone gets involved in improving and protecting the environment in and around the school.

"Judges assessed our work and action plan for further projects before announcing we would receive the award, which many countries are involved in."

It is not just the club that cares for the environment. All 450 pupils are encouraged to help recycle paper, glass and cans, create compost heaps in their gardens and care about the environment in the area where they live.

Mrs Buxton said: "Because we work so hard to promote environmental issues, global and local concerns, the children are responsible and take pride in, and good care of the school and town."