The team from Baycroft School in Stubbington won £1,000 at the Futures Group School's Project competition with their sustainable market day.

They were the only competitors from a special needs school in the final.

Schools across Hampshire were invited to come up with a sustainable idea that would improve their local environment.

The six shortlisted were then given £250 to develop their idea before the final and Baycroft School was the pick of the bunch with its entry.

In the grand finale at the Stripe Theatre in Winchester University, all six schools came face to face to showcase their projects to a panel of judges including celebrity eco-champion Chris Packham, Cllr Ken Thornber, Alex Warwick Vezstrocy from the Hampshire County Youth Council and Mark Noble, director of sales and marketing at event sponsor Norwich Union Healthcare.

The team of four lads, Nathan Chant, Oliver Newton, Liam Wilcox and Scott Cockburn, came up with the idea of a market day where they sold products made in school and from recycled materials.

Some of the items included clocks made with old CDs, bird boxes from odd pieces of wood, card making from recycled card, silk paintings and canvases, plants and produce from the school's allotment.

The school band and drumming group provided entertainment and Fareham Borough Council were invited along to put up a stand providing information on recycling.

Oliver, 15, said: 'The whole school enjoyed the day and it brought a lot of enjoyment for everyone who came along.

'Lots of materials were recycled and it brought everyone together.'

The competition was created by Hampshire County Council's leader, Cllr Thornber, to tap into the hopes and dreams of Hampshire's young people and give them a greater voice in how the county council will tackle future challenges.

Cllr Thornber said: 'The finalists all deserved to be here.

'Each project has seen dedication, teamwork and talent from the pupils involved and it was a very tough day for the judging panel.

Mr Packham said: 'This competition is very exciting.

'It's a great way to engage with schools on sustainability and I was amazed by the wide and original spectrum of shortlisted ideas.'