The Litter Free Schools Awards ceremony was held in the Town Hall’s Old Council Chamber in late September. Now in its sixteenth year, the initiative is aimed at encouraging pupils to keep a clean and tidy school environment . An incredible 48 schools borough-wide took part in the initiative which is sponsored by Kimberly-Clark.

The pupils in participating schools dedicate time and effort in keeping their school’s playgrounds, playing fields, driveways and area outside the school clean and tidy in readiness for inspection from eagle-eyed Council inspectors, who visit each school twice.

The Mayor, Councillor David Pay, Chief Executive of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, John Jory and Cosmo the Toad, the Council’s environmental mascot, presented the winning schools with their gold, silver or bronze awards to raptious cheering from all the schools.

Councillor Julian Ellacott, Executive Member for the Environment said:

“The Litter Free Schools programme is a fantastic way of building team working among young people. It is a fun, educational programme that encourages awareness about the environment and how schools can contribute to keeping it clean and tidy. Each year illustrates just how important this programme is. It is great that so many schools took part again this year.”