PARENTS, pupils and teachers in York have been urged to nominate the primary school projects which have made a real difference.

The Press Community Pride Awards celebrate the city’s unsung heroes, who go above and beyond the call of duty to improve their community.

The Best Primary School Project – for projects which have improved their surroundings and the environment – is sponsored by waste management company Yorwaste.

Last year's winner was New Earswick Primary School with Yearsley Grove Primary School and Haxby Road Academy as runners up.

Dave Clarke, Yorwaste transport customer service manager, said: “Yorwaste has sponsored the best primary school project for a number of years and we never cease to be amazed by the high standard of entries which are submitted by children in York.

“We were particularly impressed with New Earswick Primary School’s winning project last year which not only involved the children cleaning up the village, but also tackling their older brothers and sisters at the secondary school over the mess left on the village green.

“We believe strongly that if we stress to young people at a very early age the importance of looking after the environment, then this will have a positive impact in the future.”

Last year New Earswick Primary School's project was deemed to have made the most difference by judges.

Headteacher Carole Dickson said the project had been really well supported by people in the village, and had made a long-lasting difference to the area.

She added: "We have been absolutely delighted with the support from the village, and our secondary school Joseph Rowntree, and we want to say a big thanks to them.

"I think there's a greater awareness now amongst the children that there is something they can do about litter."

The Community Pride Awards are run in partnership with City of York Council. The main sponsor is Benenden.

To nominate or for more information go to yorkpress.co.uk/pride.