Children across Three Rivers have won hundreds of pounds for their schools this year by taking part in the Yellow Woods Challenge, recycling old Yellow Pages directories.

The schools also raised enough money to plant and care for 70 native trees across England.

Twenty-two local schools took part in the Challenge, which was run by the Yellow Pages, the Woodland Trust and Three Rivers District Council.

In total, 3,031 directories were recycled. St Paul’s Church of England Primary School in Langlebury recycled the most, with an average of 1.88 directories per pupil.

St. Paul’s won the Gold Oak title for the second year running, and recieved a prize of £300.

Maple Cross JMI School ended up in second place with the Silver Birch prize and £200, and the Royal Masonic School for Girls (Prep Department) won the Bronze Beech title and £100.

St Meryl JMI won £100 for "outstanding achievement” in their first year.

Councillor Phil Brading, Portfolio Holder for Public Services and Health, said: “This year our schools have taken the competition to a new level, recycling almost double the number of Yellow Pages directories they recycled last year.”

The Yellow Pages donates a pound to the Woodland Trust for every pound it donates to schools. The Trust uses this money to support its Tree For All tree-planting project.

For more information, visit www.yellow-woods.co.uk or telephone 01923 727069.