Hundreds of school pupils from across the North West attended this year's Sustainability Learning Conference at Ewood Park.

The event was organised by the Lancashire Schools Sustainability Forum in close association with the Sustainability Learning CIC and Blackburn Rovers Community Trust.

The aim was for all in attendance to learn new skills and develop knowledge of how to live in an eco-friendlier environment.

Director of sustainability and assistant headteacher at Accrington St Christopher’s High School, Wendy Litherland, said: “The Sustainability Learning Conference North West is a one stop, happy shop for inspiration, ideas and ways to connect to other schools and professionals. 

"We explore how you can make your own ideas a reality, be a child who is nine years old or a headteacher, or even the Bishop of Blackburn, we cater for all."

School pupils from across the region descended upon Ewood Park

The annual event has aims to inspire pupils to learn new skills and knowledge

Wendy’s son, Matthew Litherland, has recently just signed his first professional contract at Blackburn Rovers, and joined his mum at the conference to show his support.

He said: “It is important to spread awareness and education for the younger generation.

"My mum is one of the main people who runs the conference and she got me involved when I was at school so she helped me to have an education of what’s going on.

“It’s definitely important to learn about this early and it gives young people a base for later on in life to understand the importance of sustainability. 

“The fact Blackburn Rovers Community Trust and the club are hosting this shows they are eager to raise awareness and that is important.”

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust’s events, partnerships and facilities manager, Ryan Loftus, added: “We are really pleased with how successful this year’s Sustainability Learning Conference North West was.

“To have so many like-minded organisations in the same place at the same time coming together to host engaging activities focused on the importance of sustainability is fantastic.

“We had some great sessions such as the Trashion Show, where students were tasked to design clothes made out of recyclable items was great to see.

"Blackburn Rovers Community Trust has been working in partnership with the Lancashire Schools Sustainability Forum and Sustainability Learning CIC since 2017 to host this fantastic event, and we are pleased we are in a position to raise awareness for such an important topic.”