YOUNGSTERS from a Ramsbottom primary school have claimed a prize for collecting old Yellow Pages and turning them into cash.

Pupils at Summerseat Methodist Primary School, in Rowlands Road, did so well in their mission that they scooped £200 for winning second place in the borough-wide search for the school that collects the most directories.

The challenge was officially launched in October by children from Sunnybank Primary School in Unsworth, Bury, Coun Stella Smith, Bury Council's executive member for environment and transport and Adam Billiard from the Directory Recycling Scheme.

Children from participating schools will join join Kirk, the Yellow Woods Challenge mascot, alongside pupils at the winning school, Guardian Angels' Primary, Bury.

Guardian Angels Primary School received a £300 prize for collecting an average of more than two-and-a-half directories per pupil.

Summerseat youngsters collected 2.19 directories per pupil and Old Hall Primary School, Bury, which came came third, collecting 1.88 Yellow Pages per pupil -- winning them £100.

All participating schools were given free environmental educational materials, along with the campaign's fun mascot, Kirk.

Keith Holland, organiser of the Yellow Woods Challenge in Bury and the council's recycling education and awareness officer, said: "Taking part in the Yellow Woods Challenge encourages schools and communities to do their bit for the environment."

More than 1,000 schools nationally are taking part in the initiative which enables schools to compete for prizes from a cash pot of £50,000 while encouraging youngsters to recycle.