The Year 9 pupils were set the task in geography of looking at the problems of plastic bags, how the issue should be managed, and how supermarkets and shoppers can reduce their use.

Working in teams they then had to present their ideas to a panel of judges including special guest Andy Stanbridge, manager of the Sainsbury’s store on Wetherby Road.

Among the ideas were giving wristbands and badges to shoppers to help them remember to take reusable bags, bus and TV advertising campaigns to highlight the environmental damage done by plastic bags, and involving primary school children in competitions to design bags for life.

The winners were Katie Houldershaw and Freya Watson’s ‘Plastic’s not Fantastic’ team, who surveyed supermarket customers and then came up with designs for reusable bags, including insulated freezer bags, and ideas for key rings and trolley coins to remind shoppers to use eco-friendly bags.

“All the students put in a huge effort. The quality of their presentations were of a high standard and impressed the judges,” said geography teacher Paula Eastaugh. “A huge thank-you to Mr Stanbridge who supported the students in their work by taking part in the judging of the presentations.”