The can-do attitude of a group of children is helping a Moray primary school get serious about climate change.

Renewable energy, recycling and energy efficiency have all featured in a green debate that's captured the imagination of youngsters from Kinloss Primary School.

But this has been far more than a talking shop. Armed with cardboard boxes, some expert knowledge and their own imaginations, the kids were set a homework project to design their own eco-houses.

"The results have been wonderful," said Primary Seven teacher Stephanie Whittaker.

"As a school, we're proud of our efforts to make the world a better place. We grow our own vegetables, we compost and recycle waste, and we've checked to make sure we're not leaving classroom lights on at lunch time.

"But with their eco-houses, the children have shown how enthusiastic and committed they are individually to making a difference."

The children's work - together with projects run in three other schools - all feature in the current issue of a region-wide magazine Let's Talk Renewables. Published by Highlands & Islands Enterprise the magazine gives tips on saving energy, explores some pioneering projects in the region and discovers what local people are doing to help reduce carbon emissions.

It is part of a year-long campaign being run by the development agency to deepen understanding of renewable energy.

Elaine Hanton, Head of Renewables at HIE says: "It's been inspiring to hear stories of what people of all ages are doing in the Highlands and Islands to save energy, cut waste and discover greener, cleaner sources of energy.

"What the children at Kinloss are doing is a terrific example of the small differences all of us can make to help cut carbon emissions."

The Kinloss children were given six weeks to turn their boxes into model homes - warm and comfortable houses equipped with an array of special features designed to minimise their carbon footprint.

These included south facing windows, water collection devices, solar panels, wind turbines, and reed bed drainage systems.

Some of the eco-houses used a box within a box - with low impact, high efficiency insulation in between.

One featured a green twist on a design accessory loved by TV garden pundits - an area of decking made from recycled lollipop sticks.

"I liked being able to share what we've learned with our families," said 11 year old Adam Ford. "It was fun learning about the different types of renewables - and now we're having a debate about whether we should have a wind turbine at our school."

Evelyn Haynes, aged 10, said the project had shown they all had a role to play in helping to save the planet.
 
"It's important we use less packaging, recycle and re-use more and try to make our own houses eco friendly," said 11 year old Kieran Herrington. "We've learned that turning off our play stations when we go out to play is helpful, that we should walk or cycle more, and use energy saving light bulbs."