YOUNGSTERS at St Margaret’s CE Primary School in Prestwich have been praised for their "superb" efforts in food recycling.

The school was the first to take up Bury Council’s call to "Recycle the food you can’t eat", and was presented with a framed photo at a special assembly in April.

Cllr Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for the environment, said: “St Margaret's have been superb in really getting behind the food recycling campaign at the school, in the kitchen and also taking the message home and into the community.

“They have a very hard working and enthusiastic Green Team, pupils and staff who are committed to spreading the recycling message and educating future generations.

“Recycling is very much a part of daily life at this school and we wanted to thank and reward everyone for their excellent efforts.”

As part of the initiative, the council provided the school with kitchen caddies, liners and leaflets which the pupils could take home to their families, and also the ability to upsize their brown bin or request a brown bin.

The school was awarded its second Eco-Schools Green Flag at the end of last year.

The certificate was presented by Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, and Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, executive director of communities and wellbeing.

St Margaret’s responded by presenting them with chocolate Easter eggs in mugs which change colour when filled with hot water to reveal messages about recycling.

Gail Prosser, the school’s chair of governors, said: “I am so proud of the children at St Margaret's who show such enthusiasm for recycling their food waste at school.

“I have seen them performing their duties when I have visited school and I know that they take this message home to encourage their families to support the campaign.”

Head teacher Kath Perry added: “It was lovely to welcome Mike Connolly and Pat Jones-Greenhalgh to our assembly, and we were delighted to receive this certificate in recognition of the recycling work that we do.”

To request a free kitchen caddy and compostable liners, or to request or upsize a brown recycling bin: visit bury.gov.uk/requestabin or phone 0161 253 5353. Kitchen caddies and liners can also be collected from libraries.