A PUPIL from Barnard Castle is top of his class after scooping the first prize in a national environmental competition.

Five-year-old Frankie Shum, a pupil at Montalbo Primary School, beat more than 4,000 youngsters to win first prize in the Treewatch colouring competition, organised by ACC Milk Marketing.

All the youngsters at Montalbo school have been using biodegradable milk pots to grow seedlings as part of the scheme.

Frankie's painting was judged the best in the country and he was presented with an art set and a frame as his prize.

The school also received a variety of ornamental tree saplings to plant in the grounds.

Riannon Rowe, from the school, said: "Frankie has done extremely well and it is great that the school has received prizes thanks to his hard work.

"The children have been very enthusiastic about growing their own seedlings, and teaching them about the environment in a fun way has been instrumental in raising their awareness of green issues.