PUPILS celebrated the success of their environmentally-friendly school after been given a prestigious award.

After eight years of recycling and energy saving Shorne Primary School, Cob Drive, Gravesend, has been awarded permanent Eco-Status.

The international scheme, run in partnership with the EU, encourages children to take responsibility for looking after their environment.

The school has water-saving taps which turn off automatically and the 206 pupils, aged between four and 11, are encouraged to turn off lights by following the motto "if in doubt, turn it out".

Headteacher Robin Aldcroft said: "The children have worked hard to achieve this and plans for the school have always been worked out with them."

Kent County Council chairman John London attended a ceremony and hoisted a green flag at the school, the second in the county to be given the award.