Harriet's a green ambassador

Harriet is one of 22 children joining an environmental youth think-tank

Harriet Elliott from Cardiff has won a national competition to become a UK Environmental Ambassador.

The competition called 'Our Planet, Our Say' gives children the opportunity to become part of the UK's first eco-friendly youth think tank.

Twenty two children will get to be the voice for their generation and give opinions on environmental issues.

They'll also be able to present their ideas to politicians.

Our Planet, Our Future forms part of a British Gas schools programme called Generation Green.

Chris Jensen from Generation Green says that 9,500 schools across the UK are taking part in the project which represents over 4 million children.

"The green agenda and looking after the environment are in the DNA of our children," he says.

The twenty two children who make up the think tank are aged between 7 and 14 years old. They will meet up and come up with three ideas between themselves, for the government to consider.

The children will then visit Downing Street to present these ideas before the end of the year.

Twelve year old Harriett - the daughter of BBC Radio Wales presenter Louise Elliott - took some time out of class to be interviewed by her mother about winning the competition.

"I had to enter the competition on the internet and say what I thought we should do to save the environment in the future," said Harriet.

"My ideas included:

• To have Sky boxes that turned off the standby to save energy
• That every new house that was built should have a water butt to conserve water
• To turn off lights
• That we should walk or cycle to school

"I was really shocked and pleased to win and I feel excited and nervous about going to the future Think Tank meetings."