A GREEN-FINGERED teaching assistant from Halesowen has won a top award for the environmental projects she started at her school.

Lutley Primary School teacher Liz Cole scooped the World Wildlife Fund’s Green Ambassadors Teacher Award 2014 after running a forest school, allotment, eco council and recycling.

Rebecca Cox, head of school, nominated Miss Cole for the award and she beat off 200 other hopefuls to win the accolade.

The pair attended the WWF Green Ambassador Summit at Highgrove, the Gloucestershire home of HRH Prince Charles, where Liz was presented with the award.

Miss Cole added: “I absolutely love this aspect of my job; helping children stay in touch with the natural world through the forest school, growing fruit and vegetables and generally caring for their environment.

"I was greatly honoured to receive the award, in the breathtaking surroundings of Highgrove House – it has given me a great dose of inspiration for planning more events and projects at Lutley.”