PUPILS and parents have caught the recycling bug and are turning their phone directories into trees.

Schools across the borough are competing in the 2004/05 Yellow Woods Challenge, run by Yellow Pages, the Woodland Trust and Bury Council.

Schools which collect the most directories per pupil will win cash prizes and native tree saplings to plant in their grounds. For every pound awarded to schools by Yellow Pages, a matching pound will be given to the Woodland Trust.

The challenge aims to get children into the recycling habit while learning about woodland conservation. The directories will be turned into animal bedding and cardboard.

Keith Holland, recycling education and awareness officer at Bury Council, said this was the third year that local schools had taken part.

"It keeps old directories out of landfill, and also helps us deliver lots of other recycling messages to schools."

The project was launched this week at St Mary's RC Primary School in Radcliffe.

Residents who do not have a child attending a participating school can recycle their Yellow Pages at a special directory recycling bank.

For the nearest location, call 0161 253 5353.