A SIXTH form student has been recognised for years of tireless environmental work at her award-winning school.

Courtney Talbot, 16, was named as the champion of individual endeavour at a glitzy award ceremony held at London Zoo.

Around 16,000 schools attend Dr Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots, with Courtney’s school, St Christopher’s CE High in Accrington, a regular winner. It has previously been named the UK’s best eco school.

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Courtney, who lives in Clayton-le-Moors with her mum Lynsey, dad Mark, and sister Millie, has been given a six-week, all expenses paid trip to any country of her choice in Africa or South America.

She said: “Being green is very important because if people carry on the way they are, with wasting food and polluting the earth, we will have no resources left — no oil, and no coal.

“I was nominated because of my work since I was in year seven. I have just continued that really. It was amazing to win. I did not expect it because of my age. I’m thinking of going to Africa because there’s a children’s home project there I want to help with.”

Courtney is currently studying psychology, sociology, religious education, and geography. She hopes to read a sustainability degree or become a counsellor in the mental health field.

School spokesman Adam Calvert said: “As you can imagine, Courtney is over-joyed with this incredible prize and we’re really proud of her achievements.”

Courtney was part of the school’s original ‘pledge for veg’ team, an in-house eco group set up to teach children about growing, harvesting and selling what they produced, and was named an ‘eco captain’ last year.

Among the produce the students grow on site are strawberries, cabbages, tomatoes and herbs. There is a polytunnel to create a good growing atmosphere and space outside for more hardy plants.The sixth form building also runs on 40 per cent renewable energy.

Dr Jane Goodall, 80, is best known as the world’s chimp expert, and is an anthropologist and UN Messenger of Peace.

She founded Roots and Shoots in 1991 to bring together youngsters of all ages to work on environmental, conservation, and humanitarian issues.

She was at the awards ceremony, held last week. The awards recognise achievements by youngsters in the UK who help people, animals, and the environment.