PUPILS from schools in Ramsbottom are ringing the changes to help them in their recycling mission.

The youngsters are turning green to compete in the Yellow Woods Challenge -- a campaign by Yellow Pages and the Woodland Trust.

To take part pupils have to take old Yellow Pages to school for recycling and the schools that collect the most directories per pupil will win cash prizes.

For every pound given to schools by Yellow Pages, a matching pound is given to the Woodland Trust to help keep the UK's native woodland alive.

Bury Council is organising this year's challenge giving schools the chance to win up to £300 locally and then compete nationally for the chance to win up to £2,000.

Kirk, the recycling bug and campaign mascot, is urging schoolchildren, their families and friends to bring old Yellow Pages directories to school for recycling into animal bedding and cardboard.

The Yellow Woods Challenge aims to get children into the recycling habit while learning all about paper, recycling and woodland conservation through Kirk's lively teaching materials and Challenge video.

Richard Duggleby, head of external relations at Yell, the publisher of Yellow Pages directories, said: "Since 2002, more than half a million schoolchildren have taken on the Yellow Woods Challenge.

"This year, we expect 300,000 pupils across the UK to have fun recycling Yellow Pages directories and learning about the environment with Kirk."

Keith Holland, recycling education and awareness officer at Bury Metro Council, said: "This is the third year that we have recycled Yellow Pages directories with schools.

"We hope it has become something teachers, parents and pupils all look forward to in the school calendar.

"It not only keeps old directories out of landfill, but also helps us deliver lots of other recycling messages to schools."

Residents who do not have a child attending a participating school can recycle their old Yellow Pages directory by taking it to a special directory recycling bank.