YORK schools are "all geared up" for a campaign to find the best community projects in the city.

The Evening Press last month teamed up with City of York Council to launch the York Community Pride campaign, which is looking for the city's real community heroes.

As part of our campaign, we are looking for the best school project in York - the one our judges think has most improved the environment of the school and its surroundings.

City of York Council is also offering grants of between £100 and £1,000 to help fund community projects.

Patrick Scott, the council's director of education and leisure, said he was "delighted" that some schools had already applied for grants.

Stockton-on-the-Forest Primary School is asking for cash to fund its litter- picking campaign.

School head Jane Nellar explained that the school wanted the money to buy litter-picking equipment and new bins. She said: "The children have been really keen to get involved.

"One of the worst groups for dropping litter is teenagers - we want to encourage our pupils to grow into more responsible citizens."

Hugh Porter, head teacher of Joseph Rowntree Secondary School, said the campaign was an "excellent idea".

He said: "I strongly support York Community Pride - the head teachers are all geared up.

"It fits in very well with what we are already doing."

Fiona McCallion, a teacher at Tang Hall Primary School, said the school was "very open" to our campaign.

Pupils at the school helped launch York Community Pride by picking up litter at St Nicholas's Fields, in Tang Hall. The school is also running other environmental projects, including paper and mobile phone recycling schemes.

Tony Wootton, head teacher at Millthorpe Secondary School, also welcomed the campaign, adding: "We would certainly like to be involved".

Coun Carol Runciman, executive member for education, welcomed the campaign.

She said: "They (head teachers) are all interested in it. I think it's a first-class idea - I am very glad the Evening Press is doing this."

We need your nominations for York's community heroes. To tell us about those people you would like to see recognised in our awards - detailed on this page - fill in the entry form, remembering to include the category for which you are entering, and giving reasons on no more than two sides of A4 paper.

Our judges will select three finalists in each category, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on December 1.

To apply for a Community Pride grant, phone the council on 01904 552049, or 552063.

Updated: 08:51 Thursday, May 06, 2004