FIVE primary school pupils in Devon are celebrating success after taking part in a short story competition about waste and recycling.

Their success coincides with National Storytelling Week, which aims to highlights the power of stories and oral storytelling to inspire, connect and entertain people of all ages.

Pupils across Devon aged between seven and 14 were invited to write a 500-word story, including illustrations, between September 2024 and July 2025.

The judging panel from Devon County Council’s Waste Education team and Devon School Library Service read over 80 entries and were impressed by the creativity and understanding of waste issues shown by the young authors.

Joint first place was awarded to Monty from Bradninch for “The Rubbish Alien” and Thomas from Appledore for “Kong’s Machine”.

Runner-up places were awarded to Storm from Kingsbridge for “Speedy the Snail” and Ralph from Kentisbeare for “Scoogles”.

Special mention went to Oscar from Kingsbridge for a poem about recycling.

All stories had to be based on the topic of waste and recycling, which could include plastic pollution, composting, reducing, reusing or even the children’s book character “Bonster the Hungry Monster”, who is currently visiting Devon schools and encouraging families to use their food waste collections.

The five pupils were awarded prizes, sponsored by Suez, in a series of assemblies at their schools in December.

The joint winners will receive a £50 book token, and runners up a £10 book token. All prize winners will also receive a Recycle Devon Goody Bag containing a water bottle, pencil and pencil sharpener and a framed certificate.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson (Green, Totnes and Dartington) said: “It’s great to see so many young people entered the Waste Education Short Story Competition and huge congratulations to all the winners and runners-up.”

All five prize-winning entries are available to read on Devon’s waste education website The Zone.