PUPILS and teachers from the borough s schools scooped first prize in the 24th London New Year s Day Parade 2010. Students strutted through town in their stunning costumes made entirely from recycled materials to beat the rest of London in the Let s Hel

PUPILS and teachers from the borough's schools scooped first prize in the 24th London New Year's Day Parade 2010.

Students strutted through town in their stunning costumes made entirely from recycled materials to beat the rest of London in the Let's Help London Challenge.

Their efforts won them a top prize of �7,500 for Brent Irish Advisory Service, which is the mayor's chosen charity.

Brent's winning entry had an environmental theme with a display of colourful costumes created in the shape of birds, trees and flowers.

Brent Mayor, Cllr Jim O'Sullivan, said: "What a fantastic way to start 2010.

"The highest praise has to go to the young people for their creativity, dedication and enthusiasm.

"Thank you to everyone that has taken part- and the Brent Irish Advisory Service are now one step closer to getting our community minibus."

The prize goes to the mayor's 2009-2010 charity appeal to raise money for a new community minibus for the Brent Irish Advisory Service.

Young pupils from the borough attended workshops to learn how fashion can help the environment by making recycled bird costumes out of plastic cans, newspapers, cans and tin foil to wear in the parade.

The creations were were worn by pupils from Alperton Community School, Claremont High School, Preston Manor High School, Lyon Park Primary School and Barham Park Primary School.

They were joined by musicians from Brent Youth Volunteers and members of the Brent Youth Parliament.

More than half a million people lined the streets to see the New Year's Day Parade in central London with 8,500 performers from 20 countries watched by 240 million television viewers.