A YOUNG eco enthusiast has been officially commended for making her school more environmentally-friendly.

Alice Gunn, 17, a pupil at Beaconsfield High in Wattleton Road, Beaconsfield, was presented with a Young Peoples' Green Award by the chairman of South Bucks District Council, Dev Dhillon, last week.

This followed the Year 13 student's efforts in convincing her school to go green and adopt recycle bins for every classroom as well as biodegradable cutlery.

She said: "In the summer I ran an activity day for Year Seven. We have got more big recycling bins and more bins around the classroom. And the whole school has been switching off lights. We've got an action plan with three main things - waste minimisation, reducing energy consumption and reducing water.

"It's something I am really interested in. I applied for head girl and said it was one of the things I wanted to do."

Now the school has taken her ideas on board and has introduced an Eco School Scheme which involves increased recycling and monitoring energy consumption in the school. As part of the Eco School Green Flag Award she will soon be holding meetings with eco reps.

Jenny Nimmo, head of sixth form at the school, said: "Alice was appointed deputy head girl last year. Due to her outstanding interview a new position of in charge of environment' was created just for her because she was so strong.

"Due to Alice the school has picked up an Eco School Bronze Award which has involved the completion of an action plan and completing an environmental survey.

"Alice is simply passionate about the environment and through her work has made some big changes entirely as an individual at the school. She deserves to be acknowledged for her excellent work."

When she finishes school Alice wants to study law and take on environmental cases.