STUDENTS from Okehampton College provide the cover story for the new edition of Devon residents' magazine DevonTalk, out this week.

The college showcases its green credentials in a double-page article on 'Big Hannah' — the perpetually hungry food composter used by the college to turn the 15 kilos of daily food waste into eco-friendly fertiliser.

'Big Hannah' was provided by Devon County Council as part of a pilot project underway at the college being delivered by the 'Growing Our Future' organisation, and has contributed to the College's Specialist Schools and Academies Trust award for Sustainable Initiatives.

The students also harvest food from their community garden, which is used in the school kitchen.

Annette Dentith, Devon County Council's principal waste management officer, said:  'Students are learning about waste and recycling in schools and this is a great opportunity at Okehampton for them to actually practise reducing, re-using and recycling the school's waste.'

Among the other topics in the spring edition of DevonTalk are a record lowest council tax rise and a commitment to aiding Devon's recovery from the recession.

The county council residents' magazine, delivered to households across Devon this week, includes information on how the council intends to increase spending on priority areas such as protecting the vulnerable in the county, while still setting the lowest-ever increase to tax payers.

The winter's severe weather brought challenges across the county, and the edition includes a round-up of how the council helped communities keep moving through the snow and ice.