AN Abergavenny school is blazing a trail once again in a country-wide scheme aimed at collecting as many telephone directories as possible.

Llantilio Pertholey Church in Wales Primary School, Mardy has collected more yellow pages than any other in Monmouthshire per pupil for the last two years.

The competition is run nationally, with each local authority giving prizes to the school that does the best. It runs from the new year until February 11.

Headmaster David Evans said: "All the children have been collecting from their families, neighbours and friends, while the local milkman Stuart Grainger has also helped as well as the parishioners from the local church.

"We collected 1,200 directories last year and we are aiming to match that number again this year."

All UK schools have been asked to partake, with the winners given cash prizes. Llantilio Pertholey's school council decided what to do with their winning cash, spending it on composting bins, outdoor seating and picnic rugs over the past two years.

"We think it is a very worthwhile scheme as it helps form partnerships in the community, raises environmental awareness about issues like recycling and is used in subjects like maths and geography.

"We have also taken the children to the factory in Rhymney where the directories are recycled into housing insulation," added Mr Evans.