PUPILS at a Stirlingshire school scooped a national award after highlighting the effects of plastic pollution on marine life.

Drymen Primary School took first prize in the photography category of the prestigious Young Reporters Competition 2019, which is run by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Using plastic waste generated from school lunches over five days, P7 pupils created four marine creatures which are vulnerable to plastic in Scottish waters.

The artwork, titled ‘We eat from it, we survive. They eat it they die.’ was to demonstrate the extent of plastic pollution in coastal and marine areas.

At the same time, it showcased to the children just how much plastic they were using at lunchtime.

Their powerful piece of imagery saw Drymen come out on top, not only in the 11-14 photographic category of the nationwide competition but also in the overall category – open to those aged between eight and 24.

They received prizes for their efforts, including a Go Pro camera.

Headteacher Elisabeth Olbrich said: “I am incredibly proud that the efforts of our Primary 7 children to change attitudes about single use plastics have been recognised in this way.

“Their creative use of a week’s worth of school lunch plastic is inspiring and thought provoking and will hopefully change attitudes and practices.”

Councillor Susan McGill, convener of the Children and Young People Committee, said: “Congratulations to all the P7 pupils at Drymen Primary on winning this major award and being recognised for their creative skills and passion for environmental action.

“This impressive artwork is a really innovative way to make people think about this important issue as we aim to achieve a sustainable Stirling.”