Pupils urged to think before they flush

Scottish Waters Midlothian campaign at St Lukes RC Primary School in Mayfield. Alongside the pupils are Scottish Water staff Scott Fraser and Louise Grahame and the school's deputy headteacher Kirsty Hadden (in yellow cardigan.

Pupils at St Luke’s RC Primary School in Mayfield were the first to take part in the fun and educational visits as part of the two-month Scottish Water campaign which kicked of last week. More than 180 pupils took part last Friday.

St Luke’s headteacher Lindsey Walker said: “We are doing a lot of work in the classroom to educate the children about the damage done to the environment by disposable plastics. Having Scottish Water staff visiting and talking first-hand about their work and highlighting what damage people can do has been has been very useful and really enjoyable for our classes.”

Primary 7 pupil Cole Hamilton (11)was one of the youngsters who took part in the session. He said: “It was really interesting to learn about the water cycle. I had no idea sewers were so narrow. It is no wonder they get blocked if we put the wrong stuff, stuff like wipes, in there.

Scottish Waters Midlothian campaign at St Lukes RC Primary School in Mayfield.

“We have been learning about the environment and plastic pollution and how things we do can lead to stuff getting in the sea like bags and bottle that can injure or even kill sea life. It is so sad.

“This has definitely made us realise how careful we have to be when throwing things away, including down the toilet or sink.”

St Luke’s pupils are among youngsters from 12 schools in the area taking part in a competition to design a poster with the 3Ps message. The winning entry will be shown on a large billboard near Newtongrange for a month.

Scott Fraser, regional communities manager at Scottish Water, who took part in the school visit, said: “It was great getting the chance to speak to so many youngsters about the work we do and about what they can do to help the environment by following our 3P’s rule. They were so interested and enthusiastic and asked some great questions, showing how much they know and care about the environment.”

Scottish Water staff will deliver talks to around a dozen schools located near where a major clean-up of sewage debris has been taking place – the Mary Burn near Easthouses and on the River South Esk at Newbattle Viaduct.