PUPILS and teachers from Shebbear Community School and Okehampton Primary School celebrated winning top conservation awards last week.

Shebbear Community School scooped the John Mejor Award in the school/youth category, with runners-up Okehampton Primary School receiving a high commendation.

The award celebrates outstanding contributions to the conservation of Devon's natural and built environment. Pupils and teachers from the school collected their awards last Wednesday at the Devon County Council chamber.

Shebbear Community School in Beaworthy won the award for their bee-friendly garden designed to help increase the bee population which is currently under threat of extinction. They received a plaque, certificate and cash prize.

Sally Strange, headteacher of Shebbear Community School, said: 'I am really proud of all the hard work the staff and children put into the bee-friendly garden to make it the special place it is today.

'We raised money to purchase the plants and materials by all dressing up in yellow and black for the day — so the whole school has been involved in one way or another.

'The garden has already been successful in attracting more bees and this project has helped the children to understand the importance of bees to the environment.'

Okehampton Primary School were recognised for a number of environmental projects carried out by their eco-school co-ordinator, who works with pupils every morning through the school week.

Projects at the primary include an environment area with a pond, hedges, fire-pit and bird and bat boxes, and an allotment to grow fruit and vegetables which are used in healthy school dinners.

The school has won three gardening awards and the prestigious Eco School Green Flag, the highest eco school award available. It is also seen as a flagship school by Devon County Council for the amount of compost it produces.

The school hopes to plant a small orchard next year to help encourage the bee population and organise a 'Nature Week' to celebrate their achievements.

The awards are sponsored jointly by Devon Conservation Forum and trade union Unison Devon County branch and commemorate John Mejor's 12 years as the first secretary of the forum.

Andy Bowman from Unison Devon county branch co-presented the awards. He said: 'Congratulations to the winners and the runners-up. These awards are important for Unison as they reflect our commitment to work with all groups in society to achieve the wider aims of environmental responsibility.

'It is especially important to encourage young people to be aware of Devon's natural and built environment so they are conserved and cherished in the future.'

James Wyeth, vice-chairman of Devon Conservation Forum, said: 'Congratulations to all on their great achievements.

'The John Mejor Award, commemorating the work of the Devon Conservation Forum and its first secretary, has again shown that excellence can be found in the activities of Devonians willing to give their time, resources and energies to conserving and promoting knowledge about the environment.'

The Tiverton West Exe Trail won the adult category for their historic walk celebrating Tiverton's lace-making and architectural heritage.

Yeo Valley School in Barnstaple also received a high commendation in the youth category for their outdoor environmental projects which are now integrated into the curriculum.