ECOLOGICALLY-minded youngsters at a York school who are championing climate change issues are in line for a top award.

Archbishop of York Junior School, in Bishopthorpe, scooped a £10,000 cash prize provided by Norwich Union to pay for a renewable energy installation.

This came after pupils gathered nearly 1,000 pledges from their friends and family, committing them to taking action to reduce their personal impact on the environment.

Pledges included switching appliances off standby and swapping baths for showers.

The project was called Climate Change Champions, which is an innovative schools programme developed by environmental charity Global Action Plan (GAP) in partnership with Norwich Union.

Fifteen volunteers from Norwich Union's York offices mentored students across the city, ranging in age from seven to 16, on understanding climate change, calculating their school's carbon footprint and devising a campaign to cut down on school waste and energy use.

Archbishop of York School was granted one of the cash prizes for their "enthusiastic response" to tackling climate change.

James Leach, of Norwich Union, said: "The Climate Change Champions programme has clearly enthused the students about an issue relevant to their lives, and in turn the students inspired the Norwich Union volunteers and their teachers who were central to the success of the project."

The green-minded students have been rewarded for their efforts by being nominated under the Best Primary School Project category in the Press's Community Pride Awards.

Jonathan Green, the school's head teacher, who nominated the project, said he was delighted at the school's achievement.

"The children have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this project. They have found learning about their contribution to climate change wholly worthwhile.

"I am incredibly proud of the pupils, who have all worked so hard at cajoling friends and family to join in and pledge to take action on their own carbon footprints.

"The pupils have really worked hard and spoken to the community about their commitment to climate change issues, and that is why I think this project should be put forward for a Community Pride Award."

The Press still needs nominees for the York Community Pride Awards, which are run jointly with City of York Council.

This summer, a panel of judges will be whittling down a shortlist from your nominations, and the awards will be presented at a ceremony at York Racecourse, in October.

If you know of someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the community, we would love to hear about them.

To nominate someone, simply fill in the entry form via the link below.

Send in a non-returnable picture of your nominee along with a supporting statement setting out why your nominee deserves an award.

Send nominations to Community Pride Awards, Paula Homer, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN. Alternatively, you can email us at editor@thepress.co.uk