A CRAFTY crew of youngsters has been in stitches trying their hand at a fun form of recycling.

The pupils at District Primary School, in Newton-le-Willows, have been getting creative as they take part in the Eco Knit project.

They have been learning how to knit, sew and crochet and turn old clothing and plastic bags into everything from jewellery to rugs.

Funded by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority Community Fund, the Eco Knit project has gone down a storm with the children.

District is just one of five St Helens primary schools that have taken part in the project.

Organised by St Helens First Network, Eco Knit has helped teach children throughout the borough valuable craft skills, as well as the importance of recycling.

Karen Cliffe, St Helens First business manager, said: “It’s been a real success. Children have really got into the spirit of it all and are now hoping to sell their products to raise money for the school’s own eco council.”

Councillor Joe DeAsha, chairman of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority stopped by at the school to learn a thing or two from the children.

He said: “It’s great to see children getting involved in this unique project – it teaches them valuable waste prevention skills and also gets them thinking more generally about the waste we all create.

“The Community Fund is exactly what it says it is – a fund for the community, which helps to highlight waste reduction at the same time as supporting smaller projects that sometimes struggle to get financial backing.”