Schoolchildren across the South Hams have scored a double jackpot simply by recycling old Yellow Pages directories - winning hundreds of pounds for their schools and raising enough money to plant and care for 70 native trees in England.

Nineteen of the district's schools recently took on the Yellow Woods Challenge - the simple, educational and fun environmental campaign for schools run by Yellow Pages, working with the Woodland Trust and South Hams District Council.

The schools had fun competing against each other, recycling a total of 8,844 old Yellow Pages directories.

West Alvington Primary School beat off fierce competition, recycling a staggering 73.82 old Yellow Pages directories per pupil to take the 'Gold Oak' title and win £300.

Charleton Primary School has been named the 'Silver Birch' winner and receives £200, while Brixton St Mary's CE Primary School has been rewarded with £100 and the 'Bronze Beech' title.

Yellow Pages has also awarded Charleton Primary School a £100 bonus prize for being the best newcomer in this year's local challenge.

Richard Duggleby, head of external relations at Yell - the publisher of Yellow Pages directories, said: "For every pound we award to schools for recycling old Yellow Pages directories, we give a matching pound to the Woodland Trust.

Richard Duggleby, Yell: "Thanks to the recycling efforts of residents and schools in South Hams, that's another £700 raised for the Woodland Trust."

"Thanks to the recycling efforts of residents and schools in South Hams, that's another £700 raised for the Woodland Trust."

The Woodland Trust will use the money to support its 'Tree for All' campaign - described as "the most ambitious children's tree-planting project ever launched in the UK".

Janice Hix, corporate partnerships manager with the Woodland Trust, said: "This is a very valuable contribution towards our goal. We're hoping to raise enough money through the Yellow Woods Challenge this year to plant and care for more than five hectares of native woodland - an area as big as 13 football pitches.

"Woodland is England's richest wildlife habitat and offers benefits for the environment, for people and for communities. Tree planting is really important as we are one of the least wooded countries in Europe."

The local competition has now closed, but the schools have several more chances to win thousands of pounds in the national competition for their recycling, environmental education, community involvement and sculpture building efforts.

Ruth Edwards, waste management assistant with South Hams District Council, added: "This has been a fantastic competition with 8,844 old directories being recycled into animal bedding. I congratulate our schools for their achievements locally and wish them all the best of luck in the national competition."

For more information about the local and national Yellow Woods Challenge competition, visit www.yellow-woods.co.uk.