PUPILS at a Kilwinning primary school are celebrating after winning £1,000 in a national competition to spread awareness of a global issue – second-hand smoke.

Blacklands Primary School was announced as a winner by the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS).

The accolade came for its competition to recognise World Environmental Health Day on September 26.

This year, the international campaign focusses on the impact of smoking as a major public health and environmental health issue.

Entries were welcomed from a number of primary schools.

But it was a talented group of P6/7 pupils at Blacklands Primary who impressed the judges with their information film and scooped the £1,000 prize.

The award is the second national competition the school has won in the last three months.

In June, P7 pupil Liam McMaster, scooped first place in a competition to promote escalator safety.

Elaine McNeil, Headteacher at Blacklands Primary, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our pupils for their hard work and dedication throughout this project.

“Our entire school is delighted that they have received this recognition – they truly deserve it.

“The group had a lot of fun producing their own DVD, but more importantly, during the process they have become specialists in the dangers of second-hand smoke and are proudly spreading the word to their friends and family.

“We’re delighted to add yet another win to our belt and hope this helps inspire all our pupils.”

Themed on the effects of second-hand smoke, the Blacklands pupils worked together with their teacher, Mr Brown, to research smoking and the use of tobacco.

They then used all of the information to plan, write, film and edit an information DVD as part of their competition entry.

The pupils’ film entry secured them first place and will soon be made available for all to see on the REHIS website.

Tom Bell, Chief Executive of REHIS, said this week: “We were delighted with the quality of Blacklands Primary School’s entry.

“It was an excellent video with some fantastic young people presenting a difficult message with clarity, conviction and humour.”