STUDENTS and staff at Okehampton College enjoyed getting their fingers green, when they celebrated the success of their composting machine by planting new trees this week.

The college was one of a hundred Devon schools to be provided with the equipment, which it purchased last April.

The equipment was part of a £250,000 grant from the sale of Exeter International Airport.

Since the purchase of the equipment, staff and students have enjoyed composting their food waste, including fruit and vegetables from their canteen and classrooms in special bins, which is transferred into the machine. The waste is then used on the college gardens to grow vegetables and flowers.

The project, being piloted by Okehampton's Growing Our Future, has reduced waste as well as the cost of materials going to landfill.

Project co-ordinator for Growing Our Future Beth Hamer,said the equipment had made a huge difference to the college.

She said: 'The equipment has provided a really exciting opportunity for children throughout West Devon.

'It has allowed them to experience the processes of composting and the possible effects and contributions of organic food growing and community activities.

'We hope these skills will be taken on and used by people in their every day lives.'

The equipment also helped the college to receive the National Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Award for Sustainable Initiatives.

The new equipment will help students and staff to learn about the composting process, which will also help to encourage events such as inviting parents and local businesses to take up composting at home, as well as becoming an educational resource.

County Council cabinet member for environmental services Cllr Roger Croad said: 'This is a marvellous opportunity for schools to become more sustainable and is a perfect example of reducing waste to landfill and reducing on climate change.'