PUPILS from Trekenner Primary School and Launceston College have been working together to reduce the litter problem in the area and raise awareness of ways to prevent it.

With the support of Roger Catchpole from the local campaigning group LITTER and Denise Taylor, Senior Street Ranger, the pupils have been clearing the grounds surrounding Launceston Hospital to improve the environment.

They intend to wash and analyse the litter that they collect and use it to give a presentation to their school friends and to pupils at other local schools. They hope to find the source of the litter and suggest ways that the problem can be reduced or prevented all together.

Three local primary schools — Trekenner, Coads Green and Lewannick, have got together to organise three days dedicated to improving the environment, taking place on March 23, 24 and 26 at Coads Green Village Hall.

The pupils from the three schools will work together learning from activities provided by local groups and companies, including LITTER, County Waste Disposal, South West Water, Beach Rangers and Jaspers. Pupils from Trekenner School will be assisted by Mr Catchpole to give a presentation about their project and their findings.

Trekenner School Head Teacher, David Reardon said: "Our children have really enjoyed working with other children to reduce the local litter. It gives the issue of improving our local area a sense of purpose and they feel that the impact of their work makes a real

difference.

"Working with others in this way creates a feeling of togetherness and brings to mind the old cliche — 'a problem shared is a problem halved'. We may not eradicate the litter problem that we have locally but we do hope to play a part in the community to change things for the better."