PUPILS are turning waste oil from a takeaway restaurant into diesel to power their school’s minibuses.

The eco-friendly scheme is one of a raft of projects which has earned Monk’s Walk a Green Flag Award.

Spearheaded by geography teacher Charlotte Leeke and the school’s eco committee, they have worked hard to gain the new award.

They instigated recycling, automatic lights and computer switch-offs and have drummed up support from nearby oriental restaurant Hakalok at Shoplands, WGC.

The restaurant gives the school its waste vegetable oil, which is turned into diesel in the science department and used to run the school vehicles.

Headteacher Philip Bunn said: “It’s a reasonably small project, but its been running for almost 12 months.”

With regard to the Green Flag eco-schools award, he added: “The staff played no part in the award, the students made the presentation to the inspectors.

“We were delighted with their result.”

Monk’s Walk is the first senior school in the area to gain the award.

It was also presented with a Healthy Schools Award.