Primary schools in Devon are being encouraged to enter a competition in search of the Pennywell Farm 'Green School of the Year'.

The competition is being launched to recognise those schools making an effort to reduce their impact on the environment and it is hoped that schools from all over the county will apply.

On offer is a £1,500 prize of a laptop and printer donated by Torquay businessman, James Harvey of BCS Computers, together with a free school visit to Pennywell Farm.

Open to primary schools in the Devon, Plymouth and Torbay educational areas, the competition, which will run from this new school year, will be judged in June 2008, with the award being presented in July.

The application process has been kept as simple as possible to encourage schools to take part.

The award will be judged on the following five categories:

Green transport - Does your school have a walking bus or other scheme to encourage walking to school or green transport to school?

Local products and services - What is your school doing to source local goods and services?

Recycling, litter and keeping waste to a minimum - Tell us what your school is doing is doing to make a difference.

Energy efficiency - What measures have you put into place to reduce your footprint?

Innovation - What unique and inspiring action or ideas has your school come up with that helps to make it a green school?

For more information, contact Pennywell Farm on 01364 642023 or visit www.pennywellfarm.co.uk.