STAFF at a town first school are using pedal power to enhance their chances of gaining eco-status.

Teacher Matthew Ascroft, of Sidemoor First School, uses his bike to deliver paper to a recycling centre on the Recreation Road South car park.

The Broad Street school, which already recycles aluminium cans and has two compost bins, is aiming to cut waste and adopt a greener attitude towards the environment.

Head teacher Leslie Leigh is keen to apply for an eco-award to mark the school's achievements through a programme managed by Environmental campaigns (ENCAMS).

"We identified we had a lot of waste paper and wanted to find an environmentally friendly way of disposing of our waste," she said.

"By taking our paper to the recycling site, we have managed to halve our rubbish collection."

ENCAMS organises European environmental award programmes for schools and operates in 23 countries.

If the school is successful in achieving eco-status it will receive a Green Flag and a framed certificate.