SCHOOLS, colleges and children's groups have been encouraged to enter a biodiversity competition with the chance to win £250.

The annual Vale of Glamorgan Biodiversity Partnership 'Awards for Wildlife’ competition has been running since 2005 and aims to reward practical projects that help native wildlife whilst engaging children at the same time.

A Vale Council spokesman said: "Projects undertaken by schools, colleges, education centres and children’s groups within the Vale of Glamorgan are all eligible. So if your school, nursery or college has been busy building bug hotels, planting for pollinators, putting up bird boxes or setting aside grassland areas as ‘no-mow zones’ you could be in with a chance of winning."

He added: "All practical projects, no matter however big or small are eligible and even projects that are ‘under construction’ will be considered.

"The Vale of Glamorgan Biodiversity Partnership knows that there are lots of local people doing an amazing job looking after the wildlife in school grounds, so why not let us know what you are up to and put in an application?"

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, April 30, and the winning entrant will receive a trophy that will be presented during the Grand Parade at the Vale of Glamorgan Show on Wednesday, August 13, with a certificate and £250 prize money, kindly donated by RWE Npower Aberthaw. There are also prizes of £100 and £50 for second and third places.

For further information and an application pack, please contact Andrea Rowe at the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Dock Office, Barry Docks, Barry, CF63 4RT, phone 01446 704631 or email acrowe@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk