A school which won a green award has been told it has to pay for the right to fly a flag celebrating the achievement.

Langham Primary, in Oakham, was one of two schools in Rutland to be praised for its recycling and the energy-saving efforts of pupils.

Rutland County Council marked the occasion by informing media about the award in a press release.

Now, the authority has told the school it must pay a £95 fee to seek planning permission to fly the flag because it is "advertising".

Rutland and Melton MP, Alan Duncan, who helped the youngsters celebrate the award by unveiling the flag, has described the decision as "absurd".

The school learned of the council's demand shortly before staff were due to raise the flag, presented by the Foundation for Environmental Education.

Teachers have been told the £95 charge is a national fee for the pole and flag flying.

Head teacher Janet Lord said: "The council told us it was considered to be advertising.

"If we had wanted to fly a Union Flag, we could have done that free.

"We're not advertising food or a new housing estate. We are advertising good practice that has gone on in our school over recycling.

"We are flying the flag illegally at the moment, but I've been told I can apply for retrospective planning permission. The children have worked hard to gain the flag and now we're being told we've got to pay £95 just to raise it. It is just so aggravating that we've saved money by reducing our energy consumption and now the council wants to take that money back because of bureaucracy.

"We are fortunate that Hawksmead Development, which paid for the flagpole for us, is also paying the £95 one-off cost of seeking planning permission

"It would be nice if the council could have a rethink and give us the money back. I could put it to wonderful use."

Mr Duncan, said: "It's absolutely absurd that a school that wins an award has to then pay a fee to put up a flag commemorating its achievement. Sadly, this is another case of petty bureaucracy trumping common sense."

Among the efforts which won the school the award was its team of "eco-warriors" who check electrical equipment is turned off when it is not being used and work on recycling projects. Pupils have also developed a wildlife garden.

A spokeswoman for Rutland County Council said: "Planning regulations set by the Government require all planning applications for flag poles containing advertising to be charged at £95.

"In order to treat every organisation fairly, the council has to treat all planning applications identically, without exception.

"The council is extremely pleased that Langham School has achieved a prestigious Green Flag award and continues to support the school in its quest to become an eco-friendly learning environment."