Pupils who produced the 12 winning designs also popped into Appletree Court, Lyndhurst, with their families on Friday 26 November to receive awards from NFDC chairman Cllr Lt Col Mike Shand.

The colourful calendar gives tips on how to save energy in the home and follows a campaign run by New Forest District Council, energy provider npower, and the Solent Energy Efficiency Advice Centre.

The calendar was put together by Stephanie Horan of NFDC's graphics team and will be sold by schools, Parent Teacher Associations and community organisations throughout December.

Solent Energy Efficiency Advice Centre visited the schools in the autumn term and inspired the pictures for the calendar with a fun quiz before pupils made pledges on how they would help save energy.

Among the imaginative designs were pictures of light bulbs, washing lines, televisions, and kettles. 

The pledges included turning Playstations off at the mains, reading instead of watching television, towelling hair dry instead of using a hairdryer, turning lights off, and walking instead of using the car.

"I find it heartening that this calendar created by these environmentally aware young people will play an important role in encouraging the New Forest community to do their bit in saving energy too," said Cllr Shand.

The winning designs included in work by two local children:

• February was designed by Jennifer Pidgley, aged 9, from Holbury Junior School

and

• November was designed by Robert Thomas, aged 8, also from Holbury Junior School

Snap up your energy calendar for £1

The New Forest's very own energy saving calendar can now be snapped up for just £1.

The calendar is on sale at NFDC information offices.
It's packed with top tips on saving money and being kinder to the environment.

The designs feature pictures of light bulbs, washing lines, televisions, and kettles and encourage people to save energy in the home by turning Playstations off at the mains, reading instead of watching television,
towelling hair dry instead of using a hairdryer, turning lights off, and walking instead of using the car.

"The young people have made a very good job of sending out clear messages about the need for energy efficiency in the home to reduce pollution and help combat the effects of climate change," said NFDC portfolio holder for
environment, Cllr Michael Thierry.