BOLTON'S schoolchildren are being asked to come up with a blueprint for a healthier environmental future for the area.

The Bolton Evening News, the Rotary Club of Bolton-le-Moors and Bolton Environment Forum have got together to stage the Bolton Youth Environment Challenge.

This is a competition challenging youngsters in primary and secondary schools, and in further education, to produce their own environmental agenda for the 21st century.

At stake for the overwall winning school or college is a special trophy and a cheque for £500. Runners-up will receive a cheque for £100 for their school or college, and all the schools taking part can have their work on public display in a special exhibition.

All the ideas submitted will also be considered by Bolton Environment Forum when producing the local Agenda 21 Environment plan for Bolton. What the organisers want from the town's youngsters is their vision of Bolton's future environment, and how behaviour and actions today can affect this area, the country and the world tomorrow.

They want schools to demonstrate Bolton's environmental past, present and future. And to identify special issues or problems like energy, waste and pollution, transport or the effect of the environment on health. They can use any media they want to - from artwork to drama, and photos to videos.

Roy Murphy from the Rotary Club of Bolton-le-Moors explained: "We want to challenge them to produce solutions to the town's problems." Schools have to register their intention to take part in the Youth Environment Challenge by sending the coupon published here to BEN Newspapers in Education Co-ordinator Angelina Aspinall, at Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1DE, or telephoning on Bolton 522345, ext. 315 .

Outline plans have to be submitted by November 4, with the closing date for entries on Friday, March 14, 1997. The Bolton Youth Environment Forum will take place in May, 1997 to coincide with National Environment Week.

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