AN exciting new partnership between Largs Academy and Beachcombers on the shorefront is set to benefit pupils at the school.

The academy’s food and textiles technology department is running a monthly star baker award - with the winner given a voucher for the popular Largs shop.

Teacher Victoria McNicol says the school wants to promote local businesses through the competition for pupils.

She said: “We promote healthy eating, sustainability, Scottish dietary goals, nutrition, health and food technology and practical cookery.

“So in S1 and S2 we pick an exceptional star baker from the 20 classes who a name gets drawn.

“This pupil receives a £5 voucher from Beachcombers. It's an idea that helps local businesses to promote sustainability and the shop local ethos.”

Victoria says sustainability is a very important part of the partnership.

She explained: “It is very important to our department to be sustainable where we can, and where possible we try to choose recipes using seasonal and local ingredients.

"We are very keen to take this further by developing contacts with local companies. We currently work with Tesco where we receive food products that would otherwise be sent to landfill.

“In addition, we run a monthly Masterchef competition for S3 to S6 which is supported by Nardini’s and students can win a £10 voucher in recognition of their talents.”

Beachcombers owner Tiffany Irvin says it is great to see the school supporting local businesses and not using national chains for prizes.

She said: “The school asked if we would like to team up with them to help provide vouchers for the pupils to come down and treat themselves.

“We were happy to agree and it was fantastic that they decided they wanted to use a local business.

“It’s great to see that the value of shopping local is recognised. As a thank you we've added extra vouchers to boost their prizes and it is just great to be able to work with the school."

Tiffany, pictured here with school staff, says this is not the first time she has teamed up with local schools.

She explained: “My other business, The Fish Works has done several things in the past with the primary school pupils, where we have had them visiting the shop.

“We have also been at Douglas Park Nursery talking to the youngsters about the different kinds of healthy seafood.

“It’s a great partnership as we have a lot of local children that come down to Beachcombers already.”