PUPILS and staff at a Risca primary school celebrated the end of their term by receiving the highest possible accolade in a school environment programme.

Ty Isaf Infants and Nursery School on Mill Street was given the Platinum Eco Schools award by Keep Wales Tidy officer Matthew Bunt before it broke up for the summer holiday last Friday.

The school’s Eco Committee have implemented strict pledges on saving energy, water and electricity and follow a philosophy of ‘reduce, re-use and recycle’. Pupils are also encouraged to eat healthily at lunch times and fruit is available as a snack at break time.

The award was particularly celebrated because the school’s eco co-ordinator Carol Cooke retired last week, after 26 years working there.

Caerphilly council’s cabinet member for regeneration, planning and sustainable development Cllr Ken James said: “The staff and pupils at Ty Isaf Infants and Nursery School have shown an outstanding commitment to caring for the environment – and I congratulate them on their efforts.”