Young eco-champions at a Norfolk school are celebrating after getting an RSPB Wildlife Action Gold Award for their environmental work – and now they have their eyes on an even greener prize.

Children at Old Buckenham Primary School have been working hard all year towards their bronze, silver and gold RSPB awards, and are a step closer to another green dream.

The school is also in the running for the title of 'eco-school' and the right to fly the prestigious green flag.

Teacher Tessa Draper said: 'The children loved getting their certificates – it's really motivated them.

'We're also hoping to get Green Flag status by the end of the year.'

Mrs Draper, fellow teacher Becky Jennings and the Otter class have been taking part in various green activities to qualify for the RSPB award. They had to complete a number of eco-tasks out of a list which included litter-picking, planting trees and bulbs, studying insect, plant and bird species, and pond-dipping.

They also took part in the RSPB's Birdwatch project, built a bird hide, made bird feeders and food, and joined in with the whole school (and parents) to build a mini-beast hotel.

Soon the school will take part in Switch-off Fortnight and Goodbye Stand-by to save energy and aims to plant an orchard in the autumn.