A SCHOOL aims to tell the world about important environmental issues with its new website.

The environment group at Sedgefield Community College, County Durham, has entered The Northern Echo's Web Power competition.

In the competition, supported by Northern Electric, schools are asked to use the web to help the environment, and stand a chance of winning £5,000 with which to pay their power bill.

The Sedgefield site covers a range of environmental topics, from local issues to worldwide concerns.

Environment coordinator Gary Park said: "The site looks at the school environment, things like litter, recycling and composting.

"It also looks at general environmental problems in the world, including global warming and the rain forests."

The site has links to local businesses, including Limpac, which recycles ink cartridges for the school.

And there is also a link to an Australian media company, which has provided a selection of environmental videos.

Mr Park said: "It's great to see the kids working hard on this. It's all coming from them and there's no pushing from the teachers."

Closing date for the Web Power competition, which has the backing of Prime Minister Tony Blair, is Saturday.

For more information on the competition, log on to The Northern Echo's website at www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/eco/webpower/.