YOUNGSTERS around the county are turning taps off after a pioneering arts project taught them to be more eco-friendly.

The pledge was the most popular from school pupils asked to think about a new "footprint" for life following an eco-friendly interactive performance at Hereford's Courtyard Theatre.

Thousands watched SPeAR the experience for free as part of a community-funded project to teach county children about living sustainably.

Sam Williams, from Hereford, was among the majority, saying: "I will turn off taps when I clean my teeth", while Silas Bellingham, from Ruardean, promised to: "Check where food comes from and buy more local and fair trade food".

Other popular promises included giving more money to charity, using cars less, recycling more and turning off the TV and lights more.

The results following the October performance, which was the first of its size and kind in the country, have delighted organisers.

Herefordshire company Kingspan Insulation provided key funding for the £80,000 project, collaborating with consultancy company Arup, Bulmers, Arts and Business West Midlands, Herefordshire Council and others to launch it.

Kingspan's John Garbutt said: "This just goes to show that challenging messages can be conveyed in theatre production, an approach which some doubters questioned early on in the development of the show.

"Clearly the mix of music and action engaged the children enough for them to listen to the underlying theme of sustainability.

"The incredible enthusiasm with which the project has been received has given all of the sponsors heart and resolve to run it again in 2008."