Schools, working with the Woodlands Trust, competed against each other to collect the most Yellow Pages for recycling whilst learning about green issues in the classroom.

Eleanor Smith School, Plaistow, scooped the gold oak title and was rewarded with £300. West Ham Church School, Stratford won the silver birch award and £200 and New City Primary School, Plaistow and Roman Road Primary School, East Ham won joint third place and carried off the bronze beech certificate and £50.

Mayor Sir Robin Wales, visited Eleanor Smith School to congratulate the children and hand out prizes in recognition for their recycling efforts.

"I congratulate these children for leading by example. The Yellow Woods Challenge provides an excellent opportunity for schools to work together towards an environmental achievement. Recycling is one of the small steps we can all take to be more environmentally friendly.

"Newham's orange bag scheme helps residents easily recycle paper, plastic bottles and food and drink cans. All residents need to do is fill the bag with their recyclable items, tie it tight and put it out with their domestic waste.

"There are more than 150 recycling banks across the borough and allow residents to recycle paper, food and drink cans, plastic bottles, glass and textiles."

For every pound awarded to schools the Yellow Pages gave a matching pound to the Woodland Trust.