RESIDENTS have declared war on litter in Sedgefield.

A meeting held at Sedgefield Community College attracted representatives from the school, town, borough and county councils, police and community force.

Three ideas were debated to reduce littering problems.

The town council is to introduce a voucher reward scheme for school pupils.

Sedgefield Mayor Councillor Linda Maddison said: "If a councillor sees a young person picking up litter, rather than dropping it, they will get a voucher which they will then take to their school.

"The school then sends a postcard to the young people and we hope it will make them feel good about themselves."

The town council has also instigated an anti-litter poster competition in the village's two primary schools, which is in the process of being judged.

There will be a first prize winner from each school, and a prize for effort. The overall winning design will be printed and displayed throughout the village.

A third initiative involves asking the village's businessmen to get involved by sponsoring a bin.