PRIMARY school children are educating people about how to keep their streets clean and asking council chiefs to play a part.

Litter bins have been placed outside Hartside Primary School, Crook, after year four pupils asked Wear Valley District Council.

An exhibition in Crook library shows the letters that have been sent between pupils and the council.

Pupils Sam Sleights, Stacey Parkinson and Holly Bainbridge, all nine, have created a newsletter to spread the litter-free message.

Sam said: "We are happy that the bins have been put by our school so that people don't have to chuck litter on the floor."

The three have been working with the Pride Campaign, which aims to teach youngsters about the effects of litter - with the help of Groundwork West Durham and Wear Valley District Council.

Stacey said: "Hopefully people will read the newsletter and stop throwing litter on the floor."

Holly said: "I have learnt a lot about litter, that it is better to use bins rather than just throw it on the floor.

Pride Campaign officer, Joanne Morley, said: "The children at Hartford Primary have worked really hard on the campaign and it is great to see it has paid off."