School cleans up in green awards

Botanist David Bellamy was presenting the prize to pupils

A Stonehaven primary school has shown competition from across the country a clean pair of heels by winning a major environmental award.

Mill O' Forest Primary School pupils have won the David Bellamy Environmental Cleanliness Award.

Plans including cleaning the local beach helped see off 700 other UK schools and landed an £8,000 prize.

Botanist Mr Bellamy was due at the school on Wednesday afternoon to present the award to pupils.

It sows the seeds of a real sense of responsibility for the future David Bellamy

The award challenges pupils to keep the environment that they live in cleaner and healthier, promoting social responsibility and communication skills.

Each school submitted a portfolio of their work before the winner was selected.

Mill O' Forest's portfolio involved putting up hanging baskets, planting at the BBC's Beechgrove Garden, and helping to clean up the beach in Stonehaven.

Head teacher Janice Stewart said: "As it is a national competition and considering 700 other schools entered it is absolutely fantastic.

"The kids were delighted, I think they were cheering and singing the whole day."

Mr Bellamy said: "It sows the seeds of a real sense of responsibility for the future - one that they carry with them throughout their teenage years and on into adulthood."

Aberdeen's Tullos Primary also made it to the final seven, which staff described as a fantastic achievement.

The award is run by the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS).