A competition which aims to improve creative writing and understanding of environmental issues was launched last week for Edinburgh pupils.

The theme of this year’s Green Pencil Award, which is run by Edinburgh City Council for children in P4-P7, encourages pupils to think about “nature on our doorstep”, celebrating the International Year of Biodiversity.

Children are asked to write about nature close to them, whether in their back garden, school grounds, local community or a favourite place they visit.

More than 800 entries were submitted last year and the overall winner, Monica Robb from Liberton Primary, won the prestigious Green Pencil Award trophy for her entry, A Greener World.

In addition to the trophy, the winner’s school will also receive educational visits to Edinburgh Zoo and a local woodland, plus a copy of From Another Kingdom: The Amazing World of Fungi.

Marilyne MacLaren, Edinburgh’s education leader, said: “Now in its third year, the Green Pencil competition has proven to be extremely popular and the standard of writing has been excellent. This year’s nature theme, I am sure, will inspire the children to write imaginatively and thoughtfully.”

The closing date for entries is October 15.

www.edinburgh.gov.ukgreenpencilaward.