A group of schoolchildren have been named the country’s “greenest” after winning a national competition.

Pupils from Ilkley Grammar School (IGS) will enjoy an activity-packed adventure with television personality and explorer Ben Fogle as their prize for winning the contest.

The youngsters have claimed victory in the npower Climate Cops SOS competition, which was looking for pupils putting their green stamp on life at their school.

And with a project involving plans to encourage pupils and teachers to be more energy efficient by making sure all computers and lights remain switched off during lunch hours and when not in use, introducing recycling bins and creating a garden for vegetables to be used in food lessons, IGS came out on top.

The team of 11-year-olds videoed their project and progress and it was enough to wow the judges. In November they will head to the Lake District with Mr Fogle, npower’s Climate Cops SOS ambassador, for the Outward Bound course which includes the ‘jog-and-dip” – a running jump, fully clothed, into a freezing lake.

The Green Course is designed to build on the pupil’s eco-conciousness and encourage them to take it further.

“I have been really impressed with the entrants but Ilkley Grammar School’s film really stood out for the passion they showed and their enthusiasm to make a real difference in the local area,” Mr Fogle said.

“As an explorer I have been all over the world, from the Outer Hebrides to the Arctic Circle, but nothing beats the English countryside for beauty.

“Through npower’s Climate Cops SOS I’ve been encouraging young people to help preserve our beautiful environment and so it’s important that young people get the chance to experience it firsthand.

“I’ve actually done the jog-and-dip myself and it is definitely going to be a shock to the system for these winners, but a great way to take the plunge and literally dive into the great outdoors.”

Keith Shaw, a science teacher at IGS, said: “We are delighted to win npower’s Climate Cops SOS competition “The pupils really enjoyed thinking of ways to make an environmental difference and have worked so hard throughout – it’s great to see their efforts rewarded with such an exciting prize.

“We’re going to make sure we keep up the fantastic green work that our pupils have started.”