Westmeath County Council scooped the Chambers Ireland award for its Eco-Friendly Schools competition under the category of 'Sustainable Environment'.

Cllr Frank McDermott, Leas Cathaoirleach, together with Ruth Maxwell, Environmental Awareness Officer, were presented with the prize at the Awards ceremony held in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.

Cllr. McDermott stated "that this national award was a fabulous achievement for the county and he acknowledged the hard work of teachers and students that participated in the competition". Ruth Maxwell, Environmental Awareness Officer, stated “the eco-friendly schools competition is run as part of the Cathaoirleach Awards and it recognises and rewards schools that have shown their pride in what they have done to promote a sustainable environment," she continued "the pride they have shown is infectious and spreads the message of a sustainable environment to the home and wider community".

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This year, Moyvore National School were the runners up and St. Patrick’s National School, Ballinagore were the overall winners.

Both schools received an award earlier in the year at the Cathaoirleach Awards and they, together with all the other short listed schools will now be visited by the Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Johnnie Penrose, accompanied by Ruth Maxwell with the National Award to show them what the Council has achieved by their commitment and participation in the Eco-Friendly Schools competition.

(CD/GK)