Children are being given the chance to turn rubbish into cash for their schools as part of a Government scheme to encourage more recycling of household waste in areas where not enough people are thinking green.

Two schools have been chosen from each of the five areas of Brighton and Hove with the lowest recycling rates.

Each is being given £2,000 to develop innovative ways to encourage more people to recycle materials more often.

The schools will win a cash prize proportionate to the increase of recycling in their catchment area which they can then spend on an environmental project of their choice.

The project has been made possible following a successful grant application by Brighton and City Council to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

As part of the project children will be taught about practical aspects of waste and recycling.

They will be taken on field trips to recycling facilities and landfill sites.

Chairwoman of the environment committee Councillor Gill Mitchell, said: "Putting things in the recycling box should be as routine a part of everyday life as brushing your teeth."

Friday November 4 2005