A RAPPING robot has been teaching pupils about green issues.

Cycler, a robot belonging to environmental charity Waste Watch, was sent into Blackburn with Darwen Council's primary schools to rap, dance and sing the 3Rs message of reduce, re-use and recycle to more than 2,000 pupils.

It is part of ongoing efforts in the borough to raise awareness about waste reduction and recycling.

All borough schools have joined the national eco-schools scheme which promotes green issues.

Three quarters of schools in the area have also signed up to the council's recycling scheme which provides bins for recycling paper, card, cans, glass and plastic bottles and free compost bins.

As well as listening to the robot's wise words, every child receives an activity book or sheet.

Cycler will be challenging pupils to do three extra initiatives such as setting up a team of class recycling officers, designing a material shopping bag to sell for school funds or launching a school eco-committee.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration said: "Many of our schoolchildren are already green thinkers and keen recyclers, but a visit from Cycler is a fun way of reminding them of the importance of reducing, re-using and recycling."