CREATIVE schoolchildren have conjured up a mascot and slogan to spearhead the Shuttle/Times and News campaign to make grime a thing of the past in Wyre Forest.

Our initiative with Wyre Forest District Council is due to be launched this month and hundreds of youngsters have been competing to create an identity for the campaign.

Fourteen schools submitted 571 entries to be judged by Shuttle editor Clive Joyce and the council's portfolio holder for community life, health and safety, Ken Stokes. Erin Thompson

The £150 first prize has been split between Erin Thompson, 10, of Wribbenhall Middle School, Bewdley, and Ashley Perks, 12, from Lickhill Middle, Stourport.

Erin came up with the slogan which will embody the philosophy of the campaign - "Grime's A Crime" - while Ashley designed the winning mascot, which will be unveiled at the official launch. Ashley Perks

The initiative, which will involve more than £150,000 of council funding, was launched after a Shuttle/Times and News article revealed scenes of litter and vandalism across Kidderminster.

It will include an assault on dog mess, the creation of an eyesore register and new street cleaning machines for Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport town centres.

Other Kidderminster schools taking part in the slogan/mascot competition were St Mary's First, St Barnabas First, Offmore First, Marlpool First, Wolverley Sebright First, Lea Street First, Comberton First and Holy Trinity School.

Stourport First, Areley Common First and Wilden First also chipped in with entries.

Stourminster School, Kidderminster, submitted the most entries with 85.

Book and record vouchers were awarded to Sophie Jones, nine, of Wilden First, who won the five to nine-year-old category, as well as Lottie Spencer, nine (second, Holy Trinity), Jared Kramer, seven (third, Marlpool First) and highly commended entrants Sian Carey and Sophie Hawthorne both nine, (Lea Street First) and Kirsten Oliver, nine (Marlpool First).

In the 10-13 category, Erin and Ashley were joint first while Wribbenhall Middle pupils Chloe Stokes, 12, and Lawrence Newrick, 10, were second and third respectively. Amy Calder, 13, of Lickhill Middle and Stourminster pupil Dale Teague, 10, also received vouchers for highly commended entries.

Stourminster students John Prosser, 14, and 15-year-olds Joanne Smith and Martin Clee were first, second and third in the 14-18 grade.

Swimming vouchers have been given to every pupil who entered, while all schools receive a framed campaign certificate.

May 2001