SCHOOLCHILDREN across West Devon have joined the race to recycle old Yellow Pages directories and help increase woodland in England —one of the least wooded countries in Europe. For seven weeks, hundreds of pupils will be taking part in the Yellow Woods Challenge — the fun environmental campaign for schools run by Yellow Pages, working with the Woodland Trust and West Devon Borough Council. Yellow Pages is offering a share of £600 in cash prizes to schools that recycle the most old directories per pupil, plus a bonus prize of £100 for the school that displays outstanding achievement in the competition. For every pound awarded to schools, Yellow Pages will give a matching pound to the Woodland Trust — the UK's leading woodland conservation charity. Funds raised through the Yellow Woods Challenge will be invested in the Woodland Trust's most ambitious children's tree planting campaign ever launched - 'Tree For All' — which aims to plant 12 million trees by 2009. Janice Hix of The Woodland Trust said: 'We hope children enjoy the competition and get to know more about native trees and their importance.' Richard Duggleby of Yell, the publisher of Yellow Pages directories, said: 'The Yellow Woods Challenge is a simple and fun way for schools, pupils and residents of Tavistock to work together to recycle as many old Yellow Pages directories as possible and benefit local schools and the Woodland Trust.' Jane Savage, West Devon's recycling officer, said: "The competition is a great way of diverting old directories away from landfill while educating youngsters about the wider environment. Mrs Savage urged residents to support local schools by giving pupils their old Yellow Pages directory when the new edition is delivered. Call 01822 813600 to find out which schools are participating. The competition closes on March 12, 2007.
