THESE children have swapped their gold stars in class for a more prestigious award.
Green-fingered little ones from Grimsby's Lisle Marsden C of E Aided Primary School, have won not one but two In Bloom awards this year.
After viewing the school's outdoor quiet area and allotments, judges from Grimsby In Bloom were delighted and crowned them worthy winners of the Best School Garden category.
However, the celebrations did not stop there as the school went on to win the same category in the East Midlands In Bloom competition.
Kayleigh Virgo, 10, is involved with both the cooking and garden club at the school.
She said: "We pick the vegetables out of the allotments to use in our cooking club.
"It is really fun to have a school garden. We come out everyday to tidy it up.
"I am really pleased we won the awards."
In conjunction with a first-place certificate, the school also received a £30 voucher from Pennells Garden Centre and two bat boxes made by some young offenders.
Holly Harris enjoys learning about the environment through the garden.
The 10-year-old said: "We learn about how vegetables grow and what we need to do to help look after the plants and wildlife.
"I find it all really interesting but my favourite part is cooking the food we grow.
"I have made rhubarb punch and muffins before during my time at school."
Teaching assistant Liz Wheatley is delighted with how well they have done in this year's In Bloom competition.
She said: "We knew the children had put a lot of work into the garden and allotments but we were clueless as to how far we would get in the competition.
"This award just recognises their constant efforts.
"But it could not be done without the dedication of the school's five teaching assistants, who go out into the garden each day with pupils.
"I believe the allotments aid children's learning as they have to be hands-on in order to maintain it."
Grimsby In Bloom judges were delighted with pupils' enthusiasm when talking about their garden.
Elaine Atkinson, chairman of Grimsby In Bloom, said: "I think it is brilliant that the children have so much control over the look of their outdoor space.
"What is more impressive is that the food they grow goes straight into the cooking club.
"It is then turned into a delicious meal.
"As judges we could not fault them anywhere and they were deserving winners of the category."
