PUPILS from local primary schools are leading the the way in reducing energy consumption as part of an innovative Energy Challenge.

And last week, the young people from Caledonia Primary, Mayfield Primary and Ardeer Primary came together for a special celebration event at Auchenharvie Academy.

They were joined by Provost Ian Clarkson, who learned how the schools had saved 130,000 kwhs of energy and almost £4,000 in energy costs between them during the five-month challenge.

Caledonia Primary made the biggest savings and were rewarded with a bike and helmet which will be used to help some of the younger pupils learn to cycle.

The green-minded young people at Caledonia used a number of initiatives to make impressive use of natural resources. They collected 500ml bottles and placed them carefully in the toilet cisterns to reduce the flush by half a litre each time. This saved 82 litres of water each day.

They also recycled pens and employed Energy Monitors to switch off lights and computers when they weren’t in use.

Ardeer Primary pupils went around all their classrooms recording the average temperatures, which allowed them to set thermostats at appropriate levels.

The pupils at Mayfield Primary organised litter patrols, rag bag collections and even had electricity-free days.

After hearing presentations from each of the three schools, Provost Clarkson said: “Well done to everyone involved - I’ve picked up some tips for my own house!

“The Council is very proactive in terms of green policies and sustainability and it’s great that our young people are playing their part. These initiatives will educate them and help them play their part in making North Ayrshire even greener and more eco-friendly.

“I am sure that the schools will continue this hard work by sustaining these energy reductions in future years.

“I’d also like to commend our officers, working together with the Energy Agency, who put together this fantastic initiative.

“We will now look to roll out this initiative to the Ardrossan Academy and Irvine Royal Academy primary school clusters during 2017/18.”