David Ruffley presented a cheque for £750 to Carol Ingham, Headteacher of Great Whelnetham Primary School, Stanningfield Road, Great Whelnetham, on Friday, 9 July.

Youngsters at the Bury St Edmunds school are set to benefit from a wildlife and gardening area after scooping £750 in a regional competition run by EDF Energy.

The school has been successfully recycling its waste for some time and wanted to take things a step further by growing its own vegetables and using eco friendly materials at the Stanningfield Road site.

David said: 'I am delighted to be presenting Great Whelnetham Primary School with this award which will enable the children to benefit from environmental initiatives in the school grounds, including a new vegetable garden. We have heard much recently about childhood obesity and bad eating habits. If the children have the ability to participate in growing their own vegetables I am sure it will encourage them to eat a more healthy diet. Home grown vegetables always taste better!'

Head teacher, Carol Ingham said they were delighted with the EDF Energy award which would finally allow them to put their plans into action.

She said: 'We are really keen to do whatever we can to support the environment. The children have reacted really positively to things so far- even the youngest child understands that we mustn't waste things.

We plan to use some of the money to establish a vegetable garden at the school. We think that we might even encourage the children to eat a few more vegetables! We have had these ideas for some time but thanks to EDF Energy we now have the funds to make it happen.'