STUDENTS who have cleaned up their act have been rewarded for their efforts.

Pupils from Sunnydale School, Shildon, were presented with £200 for being the Most Improved School in Sedgefield.

Sedgefield Borough Council Mayor David Newell visited the school last week to present the students with a certificate and their prize money.

The award is part of the borough council's Clean School Awards that were organised to reduce litter.

The prize money will go towards helping the school improve its environment further.

Coun Newell praised the school for its efforts and encouraged students to keep up the good work. He said: "It is important that we look after the environment and stop dropping litter. It is clear that the school has already done a lot of work in order to achieve this award."

Acting headteacher at the school Andy White said: "It's great to see our students' efforts being rewarded in this way.

"We're looking forward to improving our environment using this money."