Five young people from Walton High School, Milton Keynes, will be on their way to Prague next year to represent their country at the third annual Youth-Eco Parliament.

Valpak, the UK's leading compliance scheme, ran a competition to select a group of young people aged between 14 and 16 to represent the UK at this esteemed event. As part of their prize, winners Walton High School and the runner-up St Patrick's Academy received their awards from Valpak's Chairman the Rt. Hon John Gummer MP, following a tour of the Houses of Parliament. Five students from Walton High School will also be sent on the all expenses paid trip to Prague in May 2008. Mr Gummer commented 'This scheme is a fantastic opportunity for young people to address current environmental issues and have a meaningful voice in the debate. I am very pleased to present these awards in recognition of two excellent projects, and I wish Walton High's students every success in their continuing preparation for Prague in 2008.'

The competition required students to prepare a project proposal on this year's theme of "Managing our waste and natural resources". The proposals were to focus on the topics of waste, water or energy. The winners must now turn their attention to an individual project and internet discussions with their European counterparts. This will culminate in a joint document on the environment, to be presented to MEPs and the European Environmental Commissioner in Prague. Valpak's partners in this impressive project are British Polythene Industries, Next, Garnier and Banner Business Supplies.

"This is an exciting and important project, and a fantastic opportunity for Walton High School to represent their country in Europe", commented Youth Eco-Parliament organiser Samantha Blades, "We had some excellent entries for the event and deciding on a winner was very difficult, reflecting the effort and dedication of all the entrants. We are proud to have so many leading industry partners who will help us to raise the profile of UK recycling on a European level".

For more information on the competition or the Youth Eco-Parliament please contact Sam Blades