Kilwinning pupils have designs on a cleaner town

Pupils from Kilwinning Academy compete to design an anti-litter campaign for the town in an innovative initiative led by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, and supported by ‘Promoting Kilwinning’ and North Ayrshire Council’s Cleansing Department.

Nine groups of youngsters put their class proposals in front of a selection panel – including Councillors John Ferguson and Margaret McDougall and Kirsty Innes of Irvine Bay.

The most effective presentation will now provide the blueprint for an anti-litter campaign for Kilwinning that will include banners, posters, badges, window stickers and music.

The first-year groups, each of 20, had been organised entirely by the pupils and the project has encouraged creativity, communication and teamwork.

The campaign will run alongside the £2.7 million refurbishment of Kilwinning Main Street announced by Irvine Bay at the company’s annual public meeting last week.

Kirsty Innes, Marketing Manager, said: ”The school was involved in the Main Street project, which was discussed with pupils, and this project is almost an extension to that.

“The community council approached us about litter in the town, and we thought involving the school would be a creative way of tackling the issue. We are delighted with the response and with the quality of entry, and we are sure the campaign will be eye-catching, talked about and effective.”

The successful campaign will represent the school in the town centre’s annual ‘Clean Up Week’ event starting on 20 April. It is also hoped that the project will feature on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website.