A RECYCLING firm is offering to pay schools and community groups for old textiles.

R Klub Recycling, from Hartlepool, said it will dish out £200 for every tonne of textiles it receives from schools, clubs and community groups.

The clothes will then be shipped out to the Ukraine and sold on to local people at nominal prices.

Clare Scott, Hartlepool Borough Council's recycling officer, has been working closely with the town's English Martyrs School, where students earned £60 after collecting 300 kilos of unwanted textiles.

She said: "I would invite other schools and groups across the town to consider getting involved in this scheme. Not only does it prevent a lot of old clothes from simply being thrown away, it also means that other people can benefit from their re-use. The groups collecting the textiles also receive a financial boost."

For further information on this initiative call Clare on (01429) 523829.