A STUDENT from Budehaven Community School has recently won a Gold Crest Award, thanks to work carried out with the Student Invasive Non-Native Group (SINNG) based at Cornwall College Newquay.

Chezzy Metherell, 17 from Bude, worked as a research assistant for a month with members of SINNG, gathering information on the invasive zebra mussel, and her hard work and dedication to this role has earned her a Gold Crest award.

Project Co-ordinator for SINNG Nicola Morris explained: "SINNG was set up at Cornwall College Newquay by students who really care about the local environment. They are heavily involved in increasing action and awareness on invasive species in the county.

"Zebra mussels are an invasive non-native species, and like all species of this type, they have been introduced outside their natural range and have then spread rapidly, because they don't have the natural predators to prevent this spread. Japanese Knotweed, and the problems this can cause, is a prime example of this."

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.