A lifesaving charity is hoping to raise enough cash to buy a new ambulance by recycling old mobile phones.

St John Wales has launched a campaign in two Monmouthshire schools to get pupils and their families to recycle their unwanted mobiles.

County co-ordinator for Gwent Georgina Peace visited Cross Ash Primary School last Wednesday (13th October) and The Grange two days later to tell pupils about the scheme and how they can help.

The charity wants to put a lifesaver within minutes of every home in Wales.

To do this it needs the public's help to fund the necessary equipment and training for its team of dedicated volunteers.

Marilyn Balkwill, headteacher of Cross Ash, said: "Recycling has become part of our children's everyday life.

"We think this is a great opportunity to show the pupils another example of the value of recycling.

"It's not only good for the environment but it will also help equip young people with the skills that could prove lifesaving."

Cross Ash teacher Mrs Marles said her J4 class were very enthusiastic and were delighted to be able to support the appeal.

With an estimated five million old mobile phones lying in drawers and cupboards in Wales, St John Wales hopes other schools will take part in the scheme.

For every mobile phone it recycles, St John Wales gets £3, so to realise its dream of buying a new ambulance, it needs to collect 17,680 phones.