STUDENTS from Selby High School are the toast of the head teacher after winning £20,000 for the school.

The pupils took part in the nPower Climate Cops SOS competition, eventually making it through to the final.

The aim of the contest was to encourage environmentally friendly teenagers to come up with a campaign which would both educate and encourage others to turn green.

The students at Selby came up with the idea of writing a book aimed at primary school children.

The book focused on a Polar bear called Boam, who wakes up one morning and discovers his favourite ice slide is melting. He then sets out on a journey around the world to find out why.

The book, which was illustrated and written by the pupils, was used to form a series of lesson plans.

The Selby High students then went into local primary schools where they took on the role of teacher, reading the book to younger pupils, and asking and answering questions.

A spokesman for the competition, which was judged by former Number 10 press officer Alistair Campbell, said the students had impressed everyone concerned.

He said: “The feedback received from both teachers and students was excellent. Alistair Campbell was very impressed with their innovative and original idea and the confidence the pupils showed in taking on the role of primary school teacher.”

As well as winning the £20,000 for their school, the ten students also won an Apple Mac laptop computer each.