NEWPORT schoolchildren and National Assembly minister Carwyn Jones gave the thumbs-up to a new recycling campaign.

Gaer Juniors was chosen to highlight the project as it is one of the country's prestigious "eco-schools".

Mr Jones, who has responsibility for the environment, visited the school to give his support to Waste Awareness Wales' Thumbs Up for Recycling Campaign.

It is designed to highlight the commitment to recycling shown by children across Wales.

Newport youngsters pledged their support for recycling by adding their thumbprint to a poster of a recycled bottle, produced by Waste Awareness Wales.

Ron Jones, Newport council's cabinet member for transport and sustainable development, said: "Recycling needs to be imprinted in the DNA of future generations, so by putting their thumbprint on this poster, schoolchildren are showing their commitment to recycling.

"We hope this commitment will carry on through to their adult years and eventually be passed on to their own children."

The Eco Schools programme is a Europe-wide project to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the school for pupils and staff alike. More than 40 Newport schools are now registered.

Gaer Juniors has worked hard to be one of the three schools in Wales to gain three Eco School flags.

Newport city council is running a competition for Newport schools to create a poster listing and illustrating 25 reasons to recycle, for the Recycle for Newport campaign and to celebrate Newport hitting a 25% recycling target.

The competition closing date is June 17.

For more information on the competition schools can log onto www.newport.gov.uk/recyclefornewport