SCHOOLCHILDREN from around the borough "wasted" no time in getting to grips with a recycling challenge.

And when asked to create something useful for their community from a bag of recycled materials, there wasn't a rubbish idea in sight.

The youngsters from six high schools were invited to the Longfield Suite in Prestwich to take part in the Enterprise Recycle competition, organised by the Bolton and Bury Education Business Partnership.

Supported by Groundwork Bury and Greater Manchester Waste, the competition was aimed at raising pupils' awareness of recycling and engaging them in a practical task.

Each school had a team of four Year 10 pupils, plus a member of staff, and their task was to create something innovative that could be used in the community to teach others about recycling.

The groups were given a large bag of recyclable materials, such as old CDs, plastic containers, bubble wrap, textiles and paper and the finished models were judged by representatives from Bury Council, Groundwork Bury and Greater Manchester Waste.

The judges were impressed with the variety of ideas, which included a "Park of the Future" by Prestwich Community High, a "Recycling Rover" by Derby High, a "Drama Centre" by Castlebrook and a "Recycling Bin" aimed at young children, by Coney Green High School.

But it was Bury's St Gabriel's idea of making a selection of learning toys aimed at raising awareness of recycling issues with young children that won them first place.

The event will be repeated in Bolton with six more schools and the winners from both towns will be treated to a visit to a company which manufactures recycled products.