Energy saving students at Wymondham College have helped their school pocket �12,500.

Youngsters were challenged to take part in The Big Switch Week in January - a project run by the National Trust which encourages people to reduce their energy consumption.

Wymondham College was asked to turn off all unnecessary equipment and appliances in the classrooms and boarding houses in a bid to shave 15pc off its energy use and maintain a 10pc saving in the long term.

The challenge was aided by 21 students from Year 8 who had undertaken two days of training to become energy experts where they learned why energy use should be reduced and how.

The group introduced a green, amber and red cards to present to departments and classes that had done particularly well and those that could do better.

Overall, the college achieved a 23pc reduction energy use, with electricity consumption down by 9pc and gas consumption down by 31pc. It also achieved a long term saving of 12.5pc. This equates to enough carbon dioxide to fill 58,344,866 balloons and the saving of 339 trees.

The cost of the saving was equated at �10,700, which in return was rewarded by Norfolk County Council which gave the college �12,500.

The students also won �1,250 to be spent on an award for the whole school, which will be decided by the Student Council.

Geography teacher Vic Dinwoodie said: 'The college community has really pulled together to achieve this target and make long lasting behaviour changes. The students have done a superb job leading this initiative and we are focused on embedding our activities in everyday life.'