THIS team of eco warriors from a York secondary school have been crowned “eco champions” at a citywide inter-schools championship.

Laura Austin-Sydes, Izzy Lee and Beth Murphy, all pupils at Millthorpe School in Nunthorpe Avenue, won the grand final of this year’s CPP Green Griffins Nest challenge.

NYBEP, the Education Business Partnership based in York, challenged students from secondary schools across York to come up with an energy saving idea that would save their school money and be of interest to the local and business communities.

About 200 teams comprising more than 1,000 12 and 14-year-olds took part in the challenge.

Nine teams were eventually put forward to the final which was held at a Regional Big Bang event at York Minster.

The finalists addressed a broad spectrum of environmental concerns, from generating renewable energy, to reducing energy consumption and recycling.

Each school presented their idea to a panel of judges from local employer CPP who assessed the ideas using various business criteria as well as teamwork.

A discretionary three points was awarded in addition for a wow factor.

Laura, Izzy and Beth who were in the Eco Trots and Bots team from Millthorpe School was the overall winner with their food recycling project and the team also claimed the Most Innovative Idea Award.

Each member of the team walked away with £25 and a cheque for £600 for the school.

The Project Rain Drops team from All Saints RC School secured second place for their reusable water idea and earned £100 for their school.

Mike Kneafsey, managing director at CPP, said: “We were thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved with the Green Griffin initiative for the second year. It was impressive to see the extent to which the students worked together to create not just great ideas but such enterprising projects.”

Trevor Burton, head teacher at Millthorpe School, said: “The students have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the initiative and we are very proud they claimed the two top prizes. Green Griffins’ Nest has encouraged the students to not only become more aware of their environment but has also helped them develop essential life and business skills, such as teamwork and leadership.”