YOUNGSTERS took the concept of recycling to an artistic level in a bid to raise awareness about the impact of plastic in the oceans.

Representatives from the University of Cumbria and other educational establishments worked alongside Year 10 pupils from St Bernard's Catholic High School through the Hello Future outreach programme.

Hello Future is a partnership of local universities, colleges and employers who are committed to improving access to higher education for young people in Cumbria.

The project, entitled Recycling with the Arts, tasked the pupils with creating a sculpture out of recycling material they have collected from around the school and from within the community.

Rachel Ireland from the University of Cumbria said: "The pupils' whale sculpture will now be displayed in the school as a reminder to recycle and raise awareness of the effects of plastics on our oceans."