MILTON Abbot Primary School started their new term with a difference ? by planting a tree!

Accompanied by parents, teachers and local councillor Dilwyn Hughes, pupils joined with others from across the globe as they celebrated September 21 as the International Day of Peace.

Milton Abbot Primary is part of ENO ? Environment Online ? a global web school promoting ecological awareness and sustainability which organised the tree planting event.

Headteacher Peter Jones said: ?We joined the ENO project in the summer so this is our first major event and we?re really looking forward to it.

?We are one of four member schools in this country and the children log-in to ENO and can talk to children across the world about their lives and country ? it is a fantastic cultural experience and promotes peace as well.?

More than 120 schools from 48 countries took part in the event with each tree being planted at noon, local time.

The first tree was planted in Australia followed by Asia, Europe, Africa and finally North and South America.

Milton Abbot?s tree is a traditional English oak, donated by Michael Taylor, of Endsleigh Gardens.

Mr Jones said: ?All the countries planted an indigenous species of tree so an oak seemed like a good option ? I have told the children to come back when they are much older and see it towering above them.

?Hopefully, they will still remember the day they planted it.?

The trees are symbols of the ENO schools community and remind children of the importance of nature and of co-operation between cultures throughout the world. They plan to tend their sapling and watch it grow alongside them as they continue their school lives.

ABOVE: Cllr Dilwyn Hughes helps pupils to plant the tree.