YOUNGSTERS fighting to save wildlife have become stars of the silver screen in a film which will be shown to thousands of visitors to the Scottish Seabird Centre.

Pupils from Longniddry Primary School have previously received the backing of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for their Bubbles Beat Balloons campaign.

Now it has been made into a documentary which will be shown in the popular visitor attraction’s Discovery Centre alongside other professional and educational films.

The campaign, which was launched in June last year, urges people who are keen to publicly mark events, celebrations or commemorations to do so by blowing bubbles rather than releasing balloons into the sky, which has become popular.

Started by P4 pupils, it has become a school-wide project, with children taking their campaign to the Scottish Parliament and being widely praised. It has also been entered into the RSPB Nature of Scotland 2019 Awards.

Local businesses and groups have got behind the school, from the dentist surgery to the church and library.

Teacher Yvonne Hart, who helped launch the campaign, said local support was a huge boost for youngsters.

She said: “For the kids to see their certificates on the walls of local businesses and places is really special and lets them know they are making a difference. They are all so passionate about the campaign and are determined to get their message across.”

Independent film-maker Jonathan Charles worked with pupils and staff at the school to make the short film in which they talk about the devastating impact balloons can have on sealife and the environment.

Pupil Ellie McIntyre’s trip to Holyrood and meeting with the First Minister also features in the video.

The film, which made its debut at the school in May, was given a special airing at the Seabird Centre in North Berwick and they were so impressed they asked if they could make it a permanent feature at the attraction.

P4 teacher Yvonne said: “Learning at Longniddry has always had a strong eco and rights-respecting focus.

“In ‘Bubbles Beat Balloons’, our youngsters have taken a stance on an issue they are passionate about and are showing that all of us can change habits to make a difference to our environment and planet. Film is a powerful way to spread the children’s message and we are delighted that a major tourist attraction like the Seabird Centre, which has around 200,000 visitors each year, will feature our film and the message of ‘Bubbles Beat Balloons’ which shows how passionate East Lothian’s youngsters are about their world.”

Susan Davies, CEO of the Seabird Centre said: “We are delighted to feature the ‘Bubbles Beats Balloons’ film in the Scottish Seabird Centre.

“We congratulate the young people for challenging us all to think about our own behaviours and in finding ways to convey their message to a broad audience.”