More than three tonnes of unwanted textiles have been collected so far by participating schools in the Green Goals Rags to Riches competition.

All items of clothing and household linens collected by the schools are reused or recycled rather than ending up in landfill. In return the more schools collect, the more money they are given for their efforts with the winning school receiving £1,000 bonus prize.

So far Linwood School tops the leader-board but is being chased by more than ten other schools taking part in the recycling challenge.

Georgina Lamb, Environmental Resource and Projects Officer, Bournemouth Council, said: "The schools are working very hard to encourage as many of their pupils and families to bring in as much unwanted textiles as possible. However there is much more unwanted fabric items out there - last year in Bournemouth we threw away 3,000 tonnes of textiles alone. So if your local school is taking part in the Rags to Riches challenge then your unwanted textiles could help both the school and the environment by being recycled."

Rob Mitchell, Commercial Director of Green Goals partner AFC Bournemouth, said: "We are delighted so many schools have taken up the Green Goals Rags to Riches competition. We all have textile items at home we no longer use or need and this is one way they can be put to good use. Please get behind your local school and be satisfied you are helping the environment too!"

The textiles are being collected by W&S Recycling. Schools have until 31 May 2012 to collect textiles. Items can include clothing, shoes, bed-linen, curtains and towels.

Participating schools: Linwood, St Luke's Primary, Queen's Park Infants, Queen's Park Juniors, Elmrise Primary, St Mark's Primary, Kingsleigh Primary, Bournemouth School, Pokesdown Primary, Stourfield Junior, Avonbourne, Bethany Junior.

Green Goals Project was set up in August 2009 between Bournemouth Street Services and AFC Bournemouth to promote sustainable community benefits and environmental initiatives. Other project partners are Castlepoint Shopping Park, New Milton Sand & Ballast, New Earth Solutions, W&S Recycling, Eco-Sustainable Solutions, Focal Point, Green House Hotel and J&G Environmental.