Six of North West Leicestershire District Council's recycling lorries have been named as part of a competition run with local primary schools.

And children from Ashby and Measham are among the winners.

Pupils were encouraged to colour in a graphic of a recycling lorry and give it a name.

More than 300 entries were received from pupils across the district.

After shortlisting 12 of the entries, three judges were invited to vote for their favourite names. The judges involved were Bev Smith - Chief Executive at North West Leicestershire District Council, Paul Sanders - Head of Community Services at NWLDC and Councillor Andrew Woodman - Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC.

The entries with the most votes have been selected as the winning names:

• Riley the Recycler – Daniel Mander, age 9, Ibstock Junior School
• Bindiana Jones – Alfie Stewart, age 10, Orchard Community Primary School (Castle Donington)
• Recycle Rockstar – Amelia, Diseworth C of E Primary School
• Recycling Rita – Lalana Oldershaw-Gillan, age 10, St Charles' Catholic Primary School (Measham)
• Recyclosaurus Rex – Bailey Dutton, age 5, Ashby Hill Top Primary School
• Captain Recycle – Esme Pellecchia, age 10, Ashby Willesley Primary School

The recycling lorries now display the winning names on the cab door and rear of the vehicles.

Keep an eye out to see them collecting separated glass, plastic/cans/tins, paper, textiles, batteries and mobile phones from households across the district.

The council was also particularly impressed by a second entry from Alfie Stewart named 'Clean Elizabeth II' and thought the name perfectly suited one of the street cleansing vehicles which now displays the name.

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: "It's been brilliant fun engaging with local schools for this competition.

"We received some very inventive entries; it was difficult to pick just six names!

"We want to say a huge thank you to all the schools who took part. Engaging with the younger generations in our communities about reducing our impact on the environment is incredibly important.

"They are our future and can help to play a vital role in making our district greener."

The competition was part of the council's work with schools and communities as part of their 'Recycle more…' plan.

The plan aims to increase the district's recycling rate to 50 per cent by 2023. More information can be found online HERE.