A 13-year-old student from Casterton College has been presented with a community award by Rutland Lions, for campaigning for crisp packet recycling bins.

Harvey Searle was presented with the award by Allan Grey, Rutland Lions Chairman, and will receive a monetary award, as well as £200 for the student's chosen charity.

Every year, the Lions Club of Rutland donates a prize to a student at each of the senior schools in Rutland to celebrate a student that has excelled in serving the local community.

Lions Club community service team member Peter Hems explained why Harvey was chosen for the award: 'Harvey takes a particular interest in environmental matters, becoming aware at primary school of the damage to the environment from waste crisp packets, which cannot be recycled easily and so go often go to landfill.

'He continued campaigning when he went to college until crisp packet recycling bins were installed.'

Careers teacher Tina Searle (no relation), has been instrumental in encouraging Harvey to take on new challenges, including his most recent project - finding a blister pack recycling point and designing a poster to advertise it.

At the assembly, College Principle Carl Smith said: 'It is important that we celebrate the contribution people make outside of school as well as in.'

After the assembly, Harvey said: 'I wasn't expecting an assembly of this scale, with 149 people clapping. It made me feel proud.'

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Henry chose to donate the charity money to Woodgreen Pets Charity, after watching the TV programme The Dog House with his mum.

Harvey chose for his donation to go the Woodgreen Animal Charity (Photo: Lions Club of Rutland)

'It's all about the work of Woodgreen, homing pets, mainly dogs,' explained Harvey.

Although he is yet to visit Woodgreen, Harvey received a special message from the charity's Supporter Relations Manager, Emilia Sams, who congratulated him on winning the award and choosing to donate to Woodgreen.

'Your support means we can continue to care for homeless and vulnerable pets and be there for owners in need of help with their pets,' she said.

'You also enable us to offer vital services including expert advice, workshops, classes and outreach support.'

To find out more about the work the Lions Club of Rutland do for the community, visit their website or Facebook page.