A KENT schoolgirl has been named as the Young Environmentalist of the year. Heather Young, of Cedar Road, Strood, received the Blue Circle-sponsored award after spending a week putting together her vision for a greener future.

Heather, a student at Strood's Chapter School, saw off the challenge of thousands of other entrants to claim the prize of a celebratory lunch at the Dorchester Hotel in London, and a week's holiday for two in Swanage, Dorset. Her project dealt with energy conservation in the home, and included detailed chapters on how to save electricity in each part of the house.

Heather, 12, said: "I'm really delighted to have won because the competition was open to children from all over England. I'm not sure I want a career in environmentalism, but it's something I will always take an interest in. I'm really looking forward to the holiday. I'm allowed to take a friend so I've decided my sister Hazel can come."

Her mother, Julia Young, said she was proud of the effort Heather had put into her project. She said: "Wants she gets into something she really puts her all into it."