PUPILS from two Monmouthshire primary schools enjoyed a recent visit from one of the local authority’s new bin lorries, as a reward for their success in a competition to name the council’s new fleet of recycling vehicles with waste-related names.

Cameron Gilchrist, from Cross Ash Primary School, Abergavenny, was the overall winner with his suggestion of ‘Sir Binwy’ – a play on Monmouthshire’s name in Welsh.

On Friday, Cameron and his classmates were visited by the county council’s education and awareness officers Sue Parkinson and Paul Quayle, as well as one of the new lorries.

An additional prize was awarded to Trellech Primary School for submitting the most entries.

In recognition of their efforts, Cameron and the Trellech pupils were presented with a bundle of new books for their school library.

Pupils at both schools had the opportunity to explore the lorries, which can collect 2,000 bags of waste. Pupils were eager to find out more about the recycling process and learned a lot about the new lorries, and some were lucky enough to get their hands on the controls for the lorry’s loading and compression equipment.

The competition to name the new vehicles created a stir on the council’s social media channels, and a number of residents stepped in with their favourite names, too.

Monmouthshire’s cabinet member for operations, Cllr Bryan Jones, said: “I was so pleased to see how many suggestions came in from local schools and the public. I’m sure the names will make residents smile, they certainly made me chuckle.

“The new fleet of lorries will enable more of our waste to be separated providing a better quality of recyclable materials.”

The new vehicles will be on the road from Monday 4th March 4. Look out for the following names:

Sir Binwy, O Bin-Wan-Kanobe, Rhys Seiclo, Binny McBin Face, Taclus Ted, Binnie The Pooh, Bin Terfel, Rob Bin Hood, Binderella, Mission Bin Possible, Bin a Long Day, Bin Around Town, Bin Diesel, Ter-Bin-Ator, Bindiana Jones, Gunge & Roses, Bin and Dunnit, Dumpledore, Nick Binit and Jonny Trash.