HUNDREDS of primary school children will become eco-warriors for a day by the end of the month.

The fourth year of the award-winning Eco Rangers project, aimed at making participating pupils more environmentally conscious, begins today.

Durham Wildlife Trust's Rainton Meadows nature reserve, on the Durham/Tyne and Wear county boundary, near Houghton-le-Spring, is the setting for the project.

By May 31, a total of 1,700 children from 35 schools, including three special schools, will have taken part in the activity days at Rainton Meadows.

The project has earned a gold "Green Apple" award for environmental best practice, a Queen Mother's Birthday Award and an accolade from the National Society of Clean Air since its launch, in 1999.

County Durham Environmental Trust (CDENT) is among several backers of the project.

CDENT chairman John Wearmouth said: "The project gives children a valuable introduction to nature and the environment.

"They learn important lessons about recycling, sustainability, water conservation, energy efficiency and chemical pollution through a series of exciting challenges and workbook exercises.

"Eco Rangers deserves our support for its wide range of environmental concerns."

Other supporters of Eco Rangers include Northumbrian Water, Northern Rock, Sunderland Area Framework Committees, Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade, Egbert H Taylor, Terberg Matec UK and Whale Tankers Ltd.