A COMPETITION to get children to think of ways to improve their environment was such a success that the top prize was shared by three schools.

The final, held at Walter Evans School, in Darley Abbey, was between teams from Walter Evans, Ravensdale Junior School, in Mickleover, and Lees Brook Community Sports College in Chaddesden.

They each presented their ideas on how to improve their local environment to a team of judges from Derby City Council and the University of Derby.

The judges said they were impressed with the wide range of ideas presented by the finalists, which included a recycling programme, gardening clubs and a competition to have Eco Class of the Week.

They decided they could not pick just one winner and divided the prize money between each of the final teams.

They each received more than £400 towards their projects from money donated by Derby Cityscape, Derwent CoGeneration Ltd and the city council.

Each team member also received a high street voucher, donated by the University of Derby.