AROUND 90 pupils from Penarth schools took part in a beach litter pick before taking part in an environmental workshop.

Pupils from Westbourne, Victoria and St Joseph's schools took part in the event on Friday, September 23.

The workshop was organised by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Keep Wales Tidy and was designed to raise awareness around green issues in line with Project Zero.

Project Zero is the council plan for the organisation to become carbon neutral by 2030.

The event formed part of the council's Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, which looks at how the areas where educational facilities are being upgraded can be enriched. 

Members of contractors ISG and AECOM, who are involved in the Council’s school-building programme, attended the workshop.

Also  at the workshop were representatives from Benthyg Gwyrddio Penarth Greening and Penarth Growing Community.

Artist Nick John Rees was on hand to talk to pupils about his work on marine scenes.

Examples of his work are currently on display at Penarth Pavillion.

Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “Looking after the planet should be important to everyone and is a top priority for the council.

"As an organisation, we have made a firm pledge to reduce our carbon output through Project Zero, with the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

"Educating the next generation on this subject is a vital part of that work, as is our Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

"That has seen us deliver Wales’ first net carbon zero school at South Point Primary while others also boast a range of energy efficient design features.

"This event not only improved the local landscape, in keeping with an important aspect of that Sustainable Communities for Learning work, but also provided an opportunity for pupils to learn about the climate challenge we are facing."