UNWANTED mobile phones and used printer ink cartridges have been handed in to a school to help two charities.

For the past month, pupils at Pittington Primary School have been collecting the unwanted phones and cartridges as part of a fundraising project in aid of St Cuthbert's Hospice and Durham Wildlife Trust.

At a school assembly the items were handed over to representatives from the two worthy causes.

Pittington Parent Teacher Association member Lesley King said: "We wanted to involve our children in an environmental project.

"But at the same time we also wanted to do something for other people so we chose the Durham-based St Cuthbert's Hospice and Durham Wildlife Trust."

Environmental pursuits are not new to the pupils at Pittington who, at the beginning of the year, all took part in a paper recycling venture. The school has also donated a number of unwanted computers to the Dyspraxia Society in Durham.

"All of this is great for the children", said deputy headteacher Cathy Lee.

She said: "This latest recycling project seemed the next step and it's been a good opportunity to let the children put into practice some of their learning.

"I'm really proud of our pupils, they work really hard and it's wonderful to see them get involved in helping the environment and helping others as well."

After the ceremony, Mrs King said: "I believe that if we want to save our planet then it's vital that we involve our children from an early age.

"This project not only sends out the recycling message, but sends the signal that every time we do something, it does not have to be for ourselves."