PUPILS and teachers at a primary school in Darlington are working towards an environmentally-friendly award.

Dodmire Infant School has already achieved bronze and silver awards, as part of the national Eco-Schools Award programme, and will be finally assessed next month for the top title - Green Flag Status.

The assessment will cover seven areas - litter, waste minimisation, energy efficiency, water, school grounds, travel to school and healthy living. Activities have included creating a raised garden area in the playground.

This features a sensory garden with rosemary, lavender, mint and other herbs, and a small pond.

Teachers, parents and grandparents have worked on the project with the pupils, helping with design ideas and planting.

A council spokeswoman said: "Regular assemblies, along an eco-friendly theme and the creation of a parents' committee, have helped to develop other ideas, such as a composting project using two bins that leftover fruit and peelings from the school can be placed into.

"This minimises waste and helps, in time, to provide nutrient rich compost for the garden area.

"In addition to this, the school is working towards its Healthy School Award."

Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "I sincerely hope that Dodmire Infant School's bid for Green Flag Status is successful.

"Involving children in green issues at such a young age gives them an early insight into the importance of the environment and how they can play a part in protecting and conserving the earth's valuable resources for their future and that of their own children in years to come."

To find out more about the Eco-Schools project log on to the website www.eco-schools. org.uk or contact Darlington Borough Council on (01325) 388551.