PUPILS from a Scottish primary school have been recognised as environmental pioneers as they win a national competition.

A Laxdale Primary School class has been rewarded by travel company TUI UK and Ireland for its contribution to protecting the environment.

The Isle of Lewis school won an exclusive learning day from the Marine Conservation Society.

The competition was part of TUI’s Better World Detectives programme which forms a key part of the company’s sustainability strategy. Aimed at seven to 11-year-olds, the programme provides teaching resources to encourage children to protect the environment.

The class of 11-year-olds created The Plastic Pollution Patrol, replacing all canteen plastic straws with paper straws. They also worked with the younger classes to create plastic pollution displays throughout the school and created a huge turtle (one of the creatures most at risk from marine plastic pollution) out of recycled bottle tops.