OKEHAMPTON College is one of four secondary schools to have won prizes which include trips to London and the chance to spend a day with a professional TV production company, as well as cash prizes for the school.

The contest aimed to get youngsters to explore the diversity of the county's communities and come up with new ways of tackling prejudice and discrimination.

These included taking photographs, making films, designing posters, creating assemblies or developing projects.

Devon County Council's cabinet member for schools and skills, Cllr Christine Channon, said: 'Judging by the standard of entries in this competition, there are obviously some very creative children in our schools.

'This contest also shows that students and teachers are thinking about issues around racism, bullying and tolerance.

'Devon County Council is fully behind any initiatives which aim to foster a better level of understanding and respect between different communities.

'Although Devon is certainly not an intolerant place to live, none of us must get complacent.'

The winning films and projects will be put onto a CD Rom and sent out to schools to use as a resource pack next year.

The winning posters will be incorporated into an anti-prejudice poster that will be distributed to libraries, council offices and schools across the county.

Dave Wright, of the Safer Devon Partnership, said: 'Congratulations go out to all the winners.

'We had some really high-quality entries and it was very difficult for the judges to come to their decisions.

'We had very positive feedback from the teachers and heads of schools which took part.

'However, we would like to have seen more schools enter — we want to see all Devon schools thinking more about prejudice, extremism and community cohesion.'

Winners from all categories will be invited to meet together on Tuesday, September 14, along with representatives from the Safer Devon Partnership and from the Devon Youth Parliament, to discuss how their work can be used to promote tolerance and fight against prejudice.

The participants will also be asked to help develop and promote a follow-up competition for next year.