Three pupils from Paola Primary A won one of two categories in the painting exhibition called The Environment: I Love A Green Earth, organised by the China Cultural Centre in Valletta.

The winners in this category for students from Years 1 to 3 were Kay Darmanin Farrell, Year 2, who netted the first price, Nicole Agius, Year 3, second, and Ryan Tonna, Year 2, third prize.

In Group B for students in Years 4 to 6 the winners were Daniel Zahra, Year 4, St Martin's College, first prize; Jerome Zerafa Gregory, Year 5, Stella Maris College and Annie Diao, Year 6, St Ignatius College, second, while Matthew Buhagiar, Year 5, St George Preca College; Alanis Cardona, Year 4, Maria Regina College, St Paul's Bay Primary and Nicole D'Amato, Year 5, Kalkara Primary School, St Margaret College came third.

The paintings can be viewed at the China Cultural Centre in Melita Street between 8.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. till September 10.

"This is the third edition of the competition organised by the China Cultural Centre", centre director Zheng Hao said. "The idea behind this competition was to foster and promote children's awareness of the need for environmental protection. It is gratifying to note that, through the competition, the children came to understand better the importance of protecting the environment by means of energy saving, recycling, reduction of greenhouse gas and forestation among other activities".

Chinese cultural souvenirs and certificates will be awarded to the winners during an official occasion next month. Seventy paintings from 11 primary schools were submitted for the competition held under the patronage of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport through the cooperation of the Youth Service Organisation. A panel of judges, composed of two officials from the Ministry of Education, an art teacher, a representative from the China Cultural Centre and an environmentalist picked the winners.