Creative children learnt about recycling when they made a snowman and a robot made out of plastic bottles and cereal boxes.

Pupils from Woodridge Primary School and Holly Park School beat stiff competition to scoop first prize in the Barnet School recycling sculpture contest.

It was launched in October 2013 when the new recycling rules were bought in, and children could use any material collected into the new blue bins to make a sculpture of their choice.

Robo Beemo, a toy robot created using cereal boxes and milk cartons, was created by five to seven-year-olds at Woodridge Primary School, in North Finchley.

The ‘Eco Council’ at Holly Park School, Bellevue Road, created Jeff the Snowman entirely out of colourful plastic water bottles.

Val Phillips, head of Woodridge, said: “They wanted to make something that could walk our fly.

“Once all the separate parts were made they assembled them and named their robot - Robo Beemo!  The children were over the moon when they heard they had won.”

Andrew French, teacher at Holly Park, said: “We chose a snowman because it was topical and plastic bottles had an icy, snow like quality.

“It took two afternoons to build the snowman and after we added finishing touches with eyes, nose, mouth, hat and scarf. One of the children named him Jeff during the building process.

“The Eco Council are thrilled to have won and hope that Jeff will encourage everyone in Barnet to recycle everything they can.”

Cromer Road School was also highly commended for their sculpture of a ladybird on a leaf made out of plastic, paper and cans.

Judge Councillor Dean Cohen, cabinet member for the environment, said: “The quality of the entries was fantastic, with more than 40 classes taking part.

“I’m delighted to see so many of them embracing our new recycling service and I’m sure they’ll be keen recycling champions of the future.”