PUPILS from six primary schools and Lydiard Park Academy in West Swindon have been busy using their creative skills to encourage people not to drop litter.

More than 500 children aged between six and 16 have taken to the drawing board to design eye-catching posters to drive the message home as part of a poster competition orchestrated by the community ambassadors at Lydiard Park Academy.

The entries were whittled down to eight lucky winners, one from each school and two from Lydiard Park Academy, who will get to see their designs on display in local shop windows.

Swindon Mayor, councillor Eric Shaw, presented the winners with certificates and gift vouchers at the council chamber on Friday.

Melody Barker, aged 11, from Tregoze Primary, said: “You can’t be certain, but I hope the message will be heard. I tried to show that litter is polluting and looks untidy. When my headteacher told me I had won, it was a nice surprise.”

Initiated by Swindon Borough Council Localities team, the competition was sponsored by Phoenix Rotary Club, McDonald’s and MLL printing.

Cameron Rankin-Acosta, aged 10, from Brookfield Primary, said: “I wanted to show what happens if people drop littler – the world won’t be clean and animals might die. I was really pleased to win.”

Isaac Weis, aged 14, was amongst the students who helped to supervise the competition.

He said: “It involved lots of planning. It has been complicated but also fun and I was pleased with the end result.”

Mr Shaw said: “The beauty of this competition is that it has a positive practical application. I was very impressed by the standard of entries and hope the message hits home to adults because it’s often grown-ups not children who are responsible. The children evidently understood the issues and impact littering has on the environment and wildlife. Many congratulations to everyone who took part.”