A SCHOOL has been heralded for its efforts at "going green".

Students and teachers from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School's (BRGS) Eco-School Group have won a special commendation for their environmentally-friendly exploits.

The group travelled to Preston for the presentation ceremony for Lancashire's Young Citizen of the Year Award.

Deputy Head Lynda Taylor had nominated the volunteers for the Group Section of the awards and she was delighted to be told that they had reached the final stages.

The nine pupils represented the many who had taken part in a variety of environmental activities at the school during the last year.

Some had helped with tree-planting and conservation tasks both in the school grounds and with community projects around Rossendale, while others had built and maintained garden areas at BRGS.

Other activities have included the collection of unwanted mobile phones to raise money for both eco-school projects and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, devising energy-saving schemes for the school and developing a school travel plan.

As a result of the group's efforts the school has increased its recycling of paper, cardboard, cans and plastic bottles.

The representatives of the group were presented with a certificate of commendation from Lancashire's High Sheriff, Peter Robinson, and Assistant Chief Constable Wendy Walker.

The teacher who helps organise the group's activities, David Archer, said: "The students enjoyed their day out and came back inspired by the descriptions of the work of the other groups and individuals who had been nominated for the awards.

"It is a pleasure to work with such enthusiastic, thoughtful and dedicated young people."