A Norfolk school has again shown its commitment to the environment by being awarded its second Green Flag.

The double award makes Harleston Primary School one of just 12 in Norfolk to be recognised twice for its efforts to protect and enhance the environment for future generations.

Headteacher Roger Walsh said: 'It's the ultimate accolade for schools who seek to develop a strong environmental awareness among pupils.

'This is something we value highly and believe to be critical for the next generation to be more ecologically aware than we are.'

The school had to focus on seven areas and provide clear evidence of the work that pupils and staff had done and its impact.

Mr Walsh explained: 'One, for example, is Global Dimension – and so through our international work we were able to show how children understood the challenges faced in Third World countries such as Kenya, where we sponsor Fidel Castro Okoth, and Gambia, where we have been able to provide funding for secondary school places and much-needed first aid.'

Harleston Primary School has an active group of eco-rangers, a woodland area and its own pond for pond-dipping.

It also hosts a Nature Day every year, when pupils and parents get the opportunity to have fun while finding out more about the environment and how they can protect, respect and enjoy it.

And a camp night, when families get to spend the night together outdoors on the school field.

Last year, children from the school set about transforming land at a nearby factory into a wildlife area featuring locally endangered species

Pupils also worked with an environmental artist to create an Olympics-themed sculpture meadow out of natural materials.

They have also been collecting medicines, stationery and football shirts for youngsters in The Gambia, where Mr Walsh is involved in a bird conservation project with the Thetford-based British Trust for Ornithology. He will be heading back to the Kartong Bird Observatory (which doubles as a medical centre for local people) this spring.