Students from a number of high schools across Norfolk have been busy designing and creating eye-catching displays made out of recyclable materials. The displays will be showcased at the Royal Norfolk Show on June 28 and 29, thanks to an initiative by the County Council's Schools Waste Action Club* (SWAC), local artist Karen Whiterod and the organisers of the Royal Norfolk Show.

Students from a number of high schools across Norfolk have been busy designing and creating eye-catching displays made out of recyclable materials.

The displays will be showcased at the Royal Norfolk Show on June 28 and 29, thanks to an initiative by the County Council's Schools Waste Action Club* (SWAC), local artist Karen Whiterod and the organisers of the Royal Norfolk Show.

The schools taking part in the project are Cliff Park High School (Gorleston), Neatherd Community High School (Dereham) and Wayland High School (Watton).

Students were given the opportunity to come up with a design for a sculpture or display to decorate the recycling stations that will be placed around the showground with the aim of encouraging visitors to recycle more of their waste.

The project was launched by Waste Education Officer, Mark Henderson, who gave a presentation on waste issues at each school. Mark also challenged the schools' eco-teams, who are already active in recycling their school's waste, to transform everyday waste items into something beautiful. The students were given a week to come up with a winning design that would be made by the whole eco-team.

Mark has been really impressed with the sculptures that the students have made. “The students were given only a short time to come up with a design and create a sculpture and the response and enthusiasm from the students has been really impressive,” he said. “The students have come up with some fantastic displays that range from an interactive 'spin it n bin it' display based on The Wheel of Fortune game, to a recycling house made out of all the materials that will be recycled at the show.”

Ian Monson, Cabinet member for Waste and Environment, said: “I think it is great that students from Norfolk's high schools are making a contribution to reducing waste and recycling. To make such innovative and exciting sculptures using rubbish is a great achievement and shows just how committed they are to making a difference.”

Eighty students from Cliff Park, Wayland and Costessey high schools will be going to the show. They have volunteered to act as recycling stewards to encourage visitors to recycle their waste and will answer questions and give out prizes for recycling.