STAFF and pupils at an East Lancashire school are celebrating after being given a prestigious award for their environmental work.

An inspector from environmental campaign group ENCAMS visited St Mary's RC Primary School and has now given them the go-ahead to receive the green flag.

The school joins a select band of 485 across the country to be given the flag for environmental education, the highest award in the eco-schools programme.

The green flag recognises work done to teach children environmentally-friendly practices.

St Mary's, Mayfield Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, already has the silver award, and had to fulfil seven criteria to be awarded the flag.

These included involving the whole school; weaving environmental work into the curriculum; carrying out an environmental review; and drawing up an action plan.

Youngsters and staff started the project three years ago and have created an outdoor classroom with teaching platform by a stream running alongside the school.

They have also installed wheelchair accessible footpaths and a bridge over the stream.

Frances Duxbury, the school's eco co-ordinator, said: "The children are absolutely delighted. Several of them hounded me during the day after the inspection asking if I had heard. Cheers went up in each class as we went round."

Headteacher Stephen Wells said: "It's a recognition of all the hard work the children and the eco committee has put in, especially Mrs Duxbury. It's been a huge, time-consuming undertaking.

"There are lots of awards you can get but I think this is an important one for the school because the children are involved in it and it's all for their benefit."

A spokesman for ENCAMS said: "It's a considerable achievement to have met all the criteria and passed the assessment.

"Just by the sheer numbers it shows what an achievement it is. This is the highest award you can get in the eco-schools programme."