A Martlesham primary school has urged the public to help them with a recycling project which could see them win a prestigious prize.

Birchwood Primary School in Valiant Road, Martlesham Heath, has entered the Sistema® recycled playground contest. 

The contest which runs until Wednesday, December 18, offers participating schools the opportunity to win a playground with a frame constructed entirely from recycled materials.

Residents are being encouraged to help the school by by donating used plastic food containers, lids, and water bottles to the school.

These items can be dropped off in the school's collection box which is in the front entrance from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

The school that collects the most recyclable plastic will win the top prize a playground featuring slides, ramps, and platforms made from recycled plastic materials.

Every pupil at the winning and second placed schools will also receive Sistema lunchboxes and water bottles.

Once collected the plastic will be sent to TerraCycle where it will be recycled into new materials.

Pippa Wake, head of school at Birchwood Primary said that the initiative would help the environment as well as the school. 

She said: "We’re thrilled to be participating in this great contest from Sistema and we are calling on all members of the Ipswich community to help us be in with a chance of winning a brand-new playground with a frame made from 100% recycled waste.

"Simply bring any used food storage containers and lids, as well as reusable plastic water bottles and caps, to the drop-off location collection box, located at the school's front entrance, between the hours of 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday, term time only.

"This really is a great initiative that will not only help our school but also our environment, whilst educating our pupils and the local community on the importance of recycling."