STAFF and pupils are celebrating after winning African drumming sessions as a reward for their recycling efforts.

Copeland Road Primary School, in West Auckland, has also received £500 courtesy of Houghton Le Spring-based SIG Combibloc, which supplies carton packs for food and beverages.

The school beat off tough competition from pupils across County Durham, Sunderland, South Tyneside and Newcastle, as part of Waste Aware North East’s Recycling Rewards Scheme.

More than 55 families signed up to the recycling scheme, which aims to increase the number of households who recycle cartons, glass jars and aerosols from home.

Victoria Summerfield, teacher at Copeland Road Primary School, said: “It was very much a whole school approach and we’re thrilled to have won first prize.

“Our prize will treat our pupils to a cultural experience they won’t forget and we expect the African drumming sessions to begin after the children return from their summer holidays in September.”

Malcolm Allum, managing director at SIG Combibloc Ltd, added: “Copeland Road Primary pupils have excelled in their recycling from home efforts and have really shown their commitment to the environment.”

“We still have two further cash prizes to award and we’re hoping more schools across the North-East will get involved in recycling, as the campaign runs until September this year.”

For more details about the project visit recycle-more.co.uk/nerewards or call 07902-003944.