A POSTER campaign launched yesterday marked the first anniversary of an environmental initiative brightening up communities across the Wear Valley.

The Pride Campaign, run jointly by Wear Valley District Council and Groundwork West Durham, has tackled issues such as litter, dog fouling and vandalism, through a programme of education, promotion and community involvement.

The new posters will warn people that food dropped in the street can attract rats and they will be put up in community venues, schools and council buildings.

Joanne Morley, Pride campaign officer, said: "The campaign has taken the Pride message to a number of schools in the past year and time and again the image of a rat and litter has a lasting effect on the young people.

"With the rise in junk food deposited on our streets the idea of rats in our towns and villages is becoming increasingly common place.

"We hope with this poster people will see the more serious implications to dropping a tray of chips or a half eaten sandwich."

More than 20 schools have been involved in Pride and improvements have included litter picks, bulb planting and more litter bins.