ROYSTON fire-fighters handed out prizes to the winners of fire safety competitions at two schools. At Roysia Middle School, Year 8 pupils were challenged to make models, collages and artwork to get across fire safety messages. Three entries from Ola Grabo

ROYSTON fire-fighters handed out prizes to the winners of fire safety competitions at two schools.

At Roysia Middle School, Year 8 pupils were challenged to make models, collages and artwork to get across fire safety messages.

Three entries from Ola Grabowska, Ryan Coppen, and Sophie Compton-Lock were awarded £5 gift vouchers, along with a joint entry from Emma Reid and Ellis Dobson.

And first prize went to Nicholas Paton, 13, who received a £10 gift voucher from Royston fire station commander Sean Comerford.

Mr Comerford said: "This competition is a Royston schools initiative, which has been running since 1996.

"We aim to visit schoolchildren three times during their formative years, and reinforce the fire safety message each time we visit them.

"We tell them about fire safety, keeping yourself safe in your home, and what to do if the worst happens."

Greneway School also received a visit from Royston fire-fighters.

They handed out certificates to the winners of the Year 8 Fire Plan competition.

Pupils were challenged to make scale drawings or models of their houses, complete with an escape plan in the event of a fire.

Royston fire station commander Sean Comerford gave a talk about fire safety, and presented £5 runners-up gift vouchers to Reece Cook, Beth Hinton, and Sarah Goodwin for their entries.

And overall winner Chloe Butcher received a £10 gift voucher.

Assistant head Allan Gee said: "The fire team felt that it was the highest level of entries that they had received for a long time.