YOUNGSTERS from St Peter and St Paul RC Primary School swapped pen and paper for the great outdoors to celebrate Earth Day.

Pupils and teachers spent the week learning about the environment, plastic pollution and carbon footprint.

The whole school got involved last week by making their own clothes out of recyclable items and taking part in an earth-themed fashion catwalk on Friday afternoon.

Mr Oliver Kay, a Year Two teacher, said: “All of the children have been really enthusiastic.

“We wanted to get the children thinking about where plastic goes, and the effect it is having on the earth.”

One of the topics that children have been learning about is the importance of bees and trees.

Tamara Cook, aged 10, said: “We have learned lots of fun facts about the earth, such as since the year 1900, 13 species of bees died.

“Another 35 species are endangered, and we need bees in Bolton to survive.

“If we had no bees, we’d have no apples, pears, vanilla, coffee or tomatoes. And no tomatoes would mean we’d have no pizza!”

Teachers now plan to buy a bee saver kit for the school garden.

The school, in Pilkington Street, had support from the Litter Pickers of Bolton North group who spoke to pupils about the effects dropping rubbish has on the environment.

During their normal lessons, all subjects were focused on the topic of the earth.

Mr Kay added: “All of the lessons this week, such as science and ICT, have centred around the earth and the environment.

“We also made all of our writing topics about the earth. Children have learned lots of different facts.”

Every class took part in a special carbon footprint challenge to try and save electricity.

Anyone who left a light on in a classroom once it was empty would get a footprint. The class with the least footprints at the end of the week won the challenge.

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. Events are held all over the world to demonstrate support for protecting the environment.

For more information on Earth Day visit earthday.org