A NEW eco drive that aims to make pupils at a borough school more aware of the environment has been kick-started.

Pupils at The Hurst Community College, in Baughurst, have been busy thinking about recycling and saving energy as part of an ongoing environmental campaign.

Living willow sculptures have been created as part of the process.

Flora Gare, a sculptor from Basingstoke, visited the school to help pupils from Years 7 and 10 create 8ft sculptures of men and women from wood.

The sculptures will then be covered with living willow, which will grow around the figures.

Mel Jay, organiser of the eco-friendly project, was helping out on the day.

She said: "It was very cold and wet, which made it a bit more difficult, but we all pitched in and got the job done. We just need to wait for them to grow now."

The Year 10 pupils will act as experts helping the younger pupils, who will be responsible for the upkeep of the sculptures during their time at the school.

Mrs Jay said: "Every summer the pupils will have to prune the willow and it will also need a lot of watering."

The eco-friendly project is focusing on all sorts of environmental issues.

Children have been learning that by doing even the simplest things, like turning lights off when leaving a room, they can make a big difference to their school and home environment.

The recycling initiative is being promoted across the school and all pupils, teachers and parents are being urged to get involved.