Cabinet minister Michael Gove has sent his congratulations to the young winners of an awards scheme celebrating environmental projects in Kent schools.

The winners of the Green School Awards are due to be revealed to the wider public on Thursday, February 14.

And in advance of the awards ceremony at Ashford International Hotel, the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs said: “The natural environment is our greatest asset but also our greatest responsibility, and our young people and children have a vital role in protecting it for generations to come.

“That is why we have made 2019 the Year of Green Action – with young people at its heart. We are calling every child, young person and school across the country to join together and safeguard our environment.

“The Green Schools Awards are a great example of this, and I send my warmest congratulations to every runner-up and winner.”

The Green School Awards are for primary and secondary schools, and have six categories: green travel; energy conservation; nature conservation; health and well-being; recycling; and air pollution.

The judging and supporting organisations are Golding Vision, ADM Computing, East Kent Recycling, Farmwood, Ashford International Hotel, Farmwood, EduKit, NCS Technology, Loop CR, Kidzania and Kent and Medway councils.

See www.greenschoolawards.co.uk.