RECYCLER the rapping robot visited primary schools in Tavistock recently, to rap to pupils about the importance of recycling.

The robot visited Tavistock Primary, Whitchurch Primary and St Peter's Junior School as part of his tour of Devon schools, to spread the word on recycling.

Recycler's interactive and educational show aimed to teach pupils and teachers about how to reduce, re-use and recycle. The rapping robot showed the pupils what they could do to make a difference to the environment and gave examples of how they could put what they learned about recycling into practice at home and at school.

Christian Stirling, head of teaching and learning at St Peter's, said the children were amazed by the robot.

He said: 'I thought it was really good. It was very eye-catching and the children were captivated. The robot was secretly remote controlled but the children thought it was alive — it was amazing.

'It really challenged the children to think about how they live their lives in relation to the environment. They learned a lot from it.'

Shirley Barre, education officer for environmental organisation Waste Watch, said: 'Every household in the UK throws away more than one tonne of waste each year and over half of this can be recycled. Recycler raps to the children all about recycling and what they can do to help.

'The children quickly pick it up and join in — it's a great way to remember important messages and take them home.'

Cllr Roger Croad, Devon County Council cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services, said: 'We are delighted to be welcoming Recycler the Rapping Robot back in Devon schools to get this message across to the children to recycle at home and at school.'

The Recycler programme is part of the Recycle Now campaign and is partnered with the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and Waste Watch with Devon County Council.