FOUR pupils from Malvern's The Chase school have taken top honours in a poetry competition organised as part a month-long recycling and rubbish awareness campaign.

The Talking Rubbish competition called on children to write a limerick, riddle or haiku on the theme of waste recycling.

Madelaine Pitt, aged 12, won the 11-16 age group while Amelia Keen and Luke Beasley, both aged 12, came second third respectively. Another pupil, Sophie Shaw was one of the highly commended poets.

Madeline said she wanted to do some a bit different for her poem, which is why she chose the alien theme.

"It didn't take long at all. About 10 to 15 minutes," she said. "I enjoy writing."

Seven-year-old Emma Webb, of Sidemoor First School in Bromsgrove, won the under 11 category.

"I continue to be amazed by the inventiveness and creativity of the children that have submitted their work," said Kate Norgate, education officer at the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust, which spearheads the annual of Rubbish? Sort It! campaign to reduce waste and rubbish.

"The standard of entries was once again very high this year with entries from schools across the county."

The winners and runners up will be presented with their prizes during the closing ceremony of the campaign, which began on Monday, May 28, due to be held at the Pump House Environment Centre, off Waterworks Road, on Saturday, April 30.

Madelaine's winning poem:

Far, far out in space,

The last galaxy held a case;

"Why should we recycle our waste?"

The aliens began to chat;

" Do we have to bother with that?"

Then up spoke King Martian's cat

"Why do we have to begin?

As the chances are very slim

Of filling our world to the brim

With rubbish?"

"Oh yes, oh yes!" the citizens cried

"Upon this case we have to decide!"

"It can't affect the future," Prince Martian lied.

Not so far out in space

Along the floor the council pace

"I think we SHOULD recycle our waste"

"We'll recycle in the coloured bags

newspapers, cans, tins and rags,

cardboard foil and parcel tags!"

Now a hundred years on

Along creeps a little con

For the aliens, now proved wrong

The landfills now have overflowed

The aliens are digging up the road

The holes can't carry the overload.

"We should've recycled!" one alien groaned

"Why didn't we?" King Martian moaned

"We have to switch to recycling mode!"

And not so far out in space

The head of council smiles with grace,

"I'm glad that we recycled our waste."

Recycle your rubbish! Don't get rid,

Of rubbish, save a couple of quid.

Don't make the mistake the aliens did.

So recycle your rubbish, don't meet the fate,

Of being lazy, of trying to wait.

RECYCLE YOUR RUBBISH, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.