YOUNGSTERS at Sutton Benger Primary School learned about newspaper recycling from the Gazette and Herald as part of Local Newspaper Week.

The Gazette's Gilbert the Gator and promotions executive Darren Edwards attended an assembly last Friday They told the youngsters that more than one million tones of newspapers are recycled each year, which is about the same weight as three million alligators.

Mr Edwards told them that once recycled the newspapers get used mainly to make other newspapers, phone books, boxes, egg cartons, magazines and other products.

He said that if those newspapers were not recycled around 59,000 trees would have to be cut down each year for newspapers.

Mr Edwards told the pupils that the same newspaper cannot be recycled forever but for every tree that is cut down two or three more are planted in its place.

After the presentation Gilbert was asked to stay on and present certificates to pupils for achievements in subjects throughout the week.

Headteacher Suzanne Lloyd said the pupils have been doing work on recycling as part of the curriculum.

She also said all the classes recycled paper and everyone put fruit peelings into the school's composting bin and the compost was used in the school grounds.

The visit to the school was done during Local Newspaper Week, the theme of which was environmental awareness.

The week celebrates the role of local newspapers and shows how they are working with their readers to make a difference to the environment.