RECYCLING and organic vegetables are all the rage at an East Yorkshire primary school which has been given Eco-school status.

Melbourne Primary School in Melbourne, near Pocklington, have been awarded an international Green Flag award by EnCams, the environmental group behind the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, for their work with the environment.

The green flag, raised for the first time yesterday, enables the school to call itself an Eco-school.

The school collects a variety of material to recycle including inkjet cartridges and the plastic packaging that comes with cans.

Pupils grow potatoes, peas and carrots in their own vegetable garden and feed the birds on the school's bird-feeding tables.

Melbourne Primary School is the second school in the East Riding area to become an Eco-school.

Headteacher David Carruthers said: "We are, of course, absolutely delighted to have received this top award but more importantly, through the things that we do in school, we are helping future generations understand what they can do to live in harmony with the environment."

It was goodbyes all round as two York primary schools said farewell to much-loved members of staff.

Pupils and staff at Sutton-On-The-Forest CE school sang, danced and played music to wish school secretary, Laureen Jackson, a happy retirement yesterday.

Laureen started at the school 22 years ago as a dinner lady and has spent 20 years in the school office.

The school held a special farewell service for her, which was attended by two former headteachers who Laureen has worked with, including Angela Hanley, who travelled from France for the occasion.

Headteacher Joyce Botham said: "We are very sad to see her go. She is one of those people who loves being with children."

Carr Junior School said goodbye to dinner lady Mavis Flintoft, who retired yesterday after 27 years at the school.

The children presented her with a lead crystal vase and flowers.

Head teacher Gordon Rusk said: "She is very much part of the school fabric and everybody knows they are going to miss her cheery face on a lunchtime."

Meanwhile pupils at Clifton Prep School, part of St Peter's School in Clifton, got in the carnival spirit.

The children, who learnt about carnivals in their RE lessons, staged a special assembly on Friday, wearing colourful feathered headdresses they had made themselves.

Updated: 09:17 Saturday, May 24, 2003