THEY have planted hundreds of hedge plants and daffodils in a bid to improve the appearance of their local community - and now these youngsters' project has been nominated for an award.

Children at Dunnington Primary School, near York, have had their project put forward for the York Community Pride Best Primary School Project award, so that their on-going campaign to transform the village can be recognised.

More than 200 pupils - from every class at the school - were involved in planting hedges at Hagg Wood, on the edge of the village, as well as hundreds of daffodils at one of the entrances to Dunnington.

The youngsters - who have also set up tubs, troughs and dug flower beds, as well as planting vegetables in the school grounds - have worked with volunteers from the community to bring on this "green revolution."

The children have already been able to reap the rewards of their hard work, when they saw the daffodils bloom - and the pupils can also look forward to seeing their hedge plants grow into mixed wild hedging, including holly and hawthorn.

The youngsters' project - which has been running for several years - is in aid of the Yorkshire In Bloom competition, in which the school came second last year.

The children prepared the areas of the village for planting by litter-picking and tidying up.

Caroline Silverdale, deputy head teacher at the school, who nominated the project for the award, said: "We're very proud of the children for all their hard work and we're also very proud of all the volunteers from the village, who have put a lot of time into this. The children have been able to appreciate how they can take a role in improving their natural environment.

"They have loved and really enjoyed doing the project."

Alistair said: "We got together with volunteers and we started weeding and planting lavender and grasses to help the school environment."

James said: "It was a good idea because it made the school beautiful with all the flowers."

There is still time to nominate unsung heroes from our local community - just follow the link below.

Send us a (nonreturnable) picture of your nominee if possible, plus any other useful information (no more than two sides of A4 paper, also non-returnable).

Local businesses seeking to support the awards can phone Nigel Briggs on 01904 567168, or email nigel.briggs@ycp.co.uk.