A CREATIVE pupil is celebrating after her mascot design won a council competition to promote recycling.

Powell’s Church of England School pupil Poppy, aged 10, was picked in a public vote after entering her 'Buddy the Bin' mascot in the Cotswold District Council contest.

The Cirencester student's design was one of three shortlisted in the competition which was initiated by Kemble Councillor Tony Berry.

To celebrate her win, Councillor Sue Coakley, cabinet member for the environment, and the Mayor of Cirencester Councillor Mark Harris, presented Poppy's school with £100 for ecological studies.

Cllr Coakley said: "Some people will still remember the way that the Wombles of Wimbledon encouraged a whole generation to respect the environment and avoid littering.

"We believe we have found a similar mascot to use for environmental campaigns in the Cotswolds.

"Buddy can put a smile on faces while encouraging people to increase their recycling, reduction and reuse of waste.

"In the near future we will be launching a district-wide recycling campaign and Poppy’s mascot will feature prominently."

Cllr Harris said: "We are very grateful to all the students who entered this competition.

"Everyone who took part showed great enthusiasm for protecting our environment and all the competition entrants deserve a huge ‘well done’ for their efforts."

Teresa Day, head teacher at Powell’s School added: "We are very excited that Poppy has won this competition and we look forward to seeing Buddy in future environmental campaigns across the district.

"Young children are keen to learn about safeguarding our environment for future generations, and the competition has been a very good way to remind them about the local and global benefits of recycling, reduction and reuse of waste."