A JOINT initiative in Test Valley's schools aimed at raising awareness of the effects of litter on the environment has received national recognition.

Test Valley Borough Council and Testway Housing are celebrating after the Clean And Safe Educate project won the iNbiz Local Government Association Local Partnership Award.

The project has already involved six primary and junior schools and more than 550 pupils between seven and 11.

Pupils hear about the impact of litter on the environment, pets and wildlife and about the importance of recycling.

They then take a look at their own area to see what litter means in practice.

Follow-up visits involve pupils in preparing a map that shows where there is litter in their area and they get down to business with gloves, bibs and bags for a litter picking session.

Pupils and teachers say that they learn a lot from this very 'hands on' approach.

Environment portfolio holder, councillor Tony Jackson, says: "Our surveys have shown that litter, graffiti and clean streets are all priorities for the public and the government has set the council very high targets for waste and recycling.

"Initial feedback from the schools taking part shows it has been really beneficial and the pupils were enthusiastic; eight out of ten said that they now felt better about the area where they live. I am sure that everyone involved, parents and teachers alike, have also learnt a great deal."