Secondary schools across Cumbria will be learning all about going green at three special environmental-themed events.

On Thursday (February 12) Cockermouth School is playing host to an eco conference before Dallam School (February 26) and Penrith's Ullswater Community College (February 27) get in on the act.

The eco conferences, supported by Cumbria County Council's waste management team, are focussing on how to become a Green Flag holder of the Eco-schools award -a scheme administered by Keep Britain Tidy group ENCAMS - that aims to encourage schools to become sustainable.

The event at Cockermouth School, already a Green Flag holder, is targeting pupils in west Cumbria. Dallam -which also has Green Flag status - will be welcoming youngsters from Barrow and South Lakeland, while the Ullswater conference is for schools from Eden and Carlisle.

A member of staff and a small group of pupils from each school are being invited to the conferences where there will be various sessions including how to achieve Green Flag status and problems that might arise in attempting to become sustainable, followed by workshops allowing each school to develop an action plan to gain the award. Community figures including MPs and councillors have also been invited.

Once registered with the Eco-Schools programme schools follow a simple seven-step process which helps them address a variety of environmental themes, ranging from litter and waste to healthy living and biodiversity.

Schools work towards gaining one of three awards -Bronze, Silver and the prestigious Green Flag award, which symbolises excellence in the field of environmental activity. Bronze and Silver are both self accredited through the ENCAMS website and Green Flag is externally assessed.

Ian Garrow, Cumbria County Council's senior waste education officer, said: "These three conferences will be a real benefit to schools across Cumbria as they attempt to meet the Government target of every school in England becoming sustainable by 2020.

"There will be an exciting mix of guest speakers and workshops and I'm sure all pupils and teachers that come along will be able to learn a great deal and get a helping hand along the route to gaining Green Flag status."