THE canny efforts of Selby students reaped rewards when their school was presented with an electric guitar as a prize for a recycling drive.

Brayton High School took the runners-up spot in the Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire league of the Tizer Can Challenge, collecting nearly 9,000 empty aluminium drinks cans over the school year.

The school has been awarded a Yamaha electric guitar and a can recycling bank to mark its commitment to the environment.

Teacher Chris Cade said: "The students and staff are keen to recycle wherever possible. We are currently in the process of raising money for a school in South Africa, so the money that we generated through the Tizer Can Challenge will be put towards this."

About 30,000 students in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire signed up to the challenge, which was organised in conjunction with national recycler Alcan.

Schools in the area collected three-quarters of a tonne of aluminium for recycling, and more than 250,000 cans were collected in 220 schools nationally.

As well as helping the environment and winning prizes, schools were able to earn cash to boost school funds or help a chosen charity as Alcan paid them up to 45p for every kilo of aluminium drink cans collected.

Edna Cunningham, PR manager at Tizer, said: "Pupils at Brayton High School really got behind the challenge, recycling consistently throughout the school year.

"I'm sure the prizes will be a great help to the school. I hope all the schools taking part have enjoyed the challenge and will continue to recycle."

Rick Hindley, national manager at Alcan Aluminium Can Recycling, said: "I hope the schools taking part will continue to recycle now that they know how easy it is to do and can see the benefits of their efforts."

Updated: 14:28 Friday, July 11, 2003