CHILDREN from Fourlanesend Primary School in the Rame Peninsula are the UK winners of a European film-making competition.

The pupils won the category of Best Primary School as well as Best Overall UK entry in the Marlisco Marine Litter video contest.

Now, some of the youngsters will travel to Bremen, Germany, to see their short film, Marine Heroes, screened alongside other winners from 14 participating countries.

The Year 5 and 6 pupils worked with filmmakers Phil Shingler and Bethany Stokes to make their video about the problem of plastic litter in the ocean, said Sarah Riggs of Fourlanesend.

'The children have been involved in marine conservation for quite some time now – it reflects our school values of respect for the environment,' said Mrs Riggs.

'An awful lot of work went on in the classroom with teachers Hannah Fry and Neil Phillips. Pupils investigated marine litter, making a map and identifying items that had washed up from the other side of the world.

'Claire Wallerstein of Rame Peninsula Beach Care also gave a talk to the children, showing them different sorts of marine litter.'

The pupils were taught how to make a film by the two local filmmakers thanks to funding from Maker with Rame Parish Council.

Working on their ideas in teams, the children voted on which should make the final cut.

'The final film was done as a report, with the two heroes Marina and Marino presenting,' said Mrs Riggs.

'The film asks what can be done to alleviate the problem of marine litter – and the children make a pledge to reduce plastic consumption.

'It was very much the children's own work – and they are absolutely delighted about winning.'

The class had so much fun during the project that a filmmaking club has now been set up at the school to involve more pupils.

Funding from film charity First Light will enable a further film to be made, involving a local youth group and younger pupils.

Claire Wallerstein said: 'Well done Fourlanesend! The kids' hard work and enthusiasm over many weeks of film-making and learning about ocean plastic all paid off when they were announced as the UK winners.

'Many thanks to everybody involved, everybody who voted for them, and of course to Maker with Rame Parish Council.'