School footballers from a North Herts village took part in a world first for recycling during a regional finals tournament – recycling their water bottles on the spot to turn them into medals.

The Comet: Weston Primary School's football team at the Danone Nations Cup. Photo: SuppliedWeston Primary School's football team at the Danone Nations Cup. Photo: Supplied (Image: Archant)

Weston Church of England Primary School’s football team gave a good account of themselves in the international ESFA Danone Nations Cup, for children aged 10 to 12, but exited in the English south-eastern semi-finals at Thamesmead Sporting Club.

And in receiving recycled-bottle medals, Weston have emulated the Olympians of Tokyo 2020, where medals will be made from repurposed mobile phones.

Weston team captain Charlie Petre said: “We were unlucky not to get through to the final, but the team had a great time taking part, and making the tournament medals from recycled bottles of water was very cool.”

The bottles were crushed and heated, then moulded to become the medals given to the players for taking part.

Danone’s Marie Wendling said: “Weston Primary School has taken part in a world first for recycling. We hope this will inspire the children, teach them about importance of recycling and help bring about a change in behaviour when they next throw away their plastic bottles.”

To find out more see weston.herts.sch.uk.