GARDENERS in the North-East are being urged to have a clear-out amid concerns they may have illegal weedkillers and pesticides.

Many gardeners will be unaware that some of the products they have became illegal at the start of the year, according to Liberal Democrat European spokeswoman for the North-East Fiona Hall.

Her concerns came after a number of garden weedkillers and pesticides were withdrawn from shops at the end of July because of growing concern about how they were affecting human health and insect life in gardens and rivers.

These products, which are now illegal, must be disposed of properly by the end of March.

Ms Hall said: "Every gardener will want to act responsibly to ensure that these products do not pollute the environment, but too little has been done to inform them or help them.''

A survey by the Pesticide Action Network revealed that fewer than 15 per cent of people knew if their local council had a household chemical disposal unit and only half of those used the facility.

It was also revealed that almost a third of people disposed of garden pesticides inappropriately by throwing them in bins or putting them down drains.