STUDENTS from Swanage’s specialised Purbeck View School marked World Autism Day by joining a national tree planting campaign.

Head Susan Harvey explained: “As we have already won two Eco-Schools awards, and our students are interested in conservation, we have decided to mark the day by supporting The Big Tree Plant, a national campaign to plant one million trees by 2014.”

Mrs Harvey said: “One in a hundred people has autism and the main aim of World Autism Day was to raise awareness of the needs of the people who have the condition and help them to make a full contribution to society.”

The trees were planted by members of the eco-committee, including 14-year-old Ben, who explained: “We try to do things which are good for the environment like recycling, turning off lights and saving water.”