A KENT school committed to the cause of sustainable energy has been presented with a top award.

Staff, pupils and governors at Eastchurch CE Primary School had gone to the Royal Geographical Society in London expecting second place and £5,000 in the school section of an international award competition for sustainable energy.

What they got was joint first prize of £10,000 and the personal praise of governors Charles, patron of the Ashden Awards.

Dr Paula Owens, the deputy head, said: “When it was announced we were joint winners I was so totally and absolutely shocked. I didn’t even have my speech ready and had to fumble in my bag.

“When I collected the award I took Sophie Mackenzie, who is nine, up with me, and she was very composed and very calmly gave her speech of thanks.

“Sophie said how proud the school was of what it was doing to sustain energy.”

Dr Owens said what had swayed the judges was Eastchurch pupils’ passion for the subject. “At the heart of it are our pupils themselves,” she added.

“Our money will go towards a wind turbine, but it won’t be installed before 2008 – they cost in the region of £20,000.”

Earlier in the day, Dr Owens was invited to Clarence House where Prince Charles made a point of speaking to everyone.

She said: “He is genuinely keen on sustainable energy and very clued up and said the event publicised the good work the school was doing.

“When you think Eastchurch and Cheyne Middle School have both won Kent Business awards, it just shows how good the schools on the Island are.”

A party of 15 guests, including head teacher Pauline Shipley and six pupils attended the event where speakers included the new Conservative leader David Cameron who, like Eastchurch school, has hopes of setting a wind turbine on the roof of his home.