SCHOOLS and residents in Sedgefield borough are being encouraged to take part in a national recycling scheme.

The Yellow Woods Challenge is a schools recycling initiative run by Yellow Pages, The Directory Recycling Scheme and the Woodland Trust, with Sedgefield Borough Council.

Up to 1,000 schools will compete for awards from a cash prize fund of £36,000.

Participating schools have to collect old Yellow Pages - the ones with fluffy chicks on the cover - when the new directories are delivered, beginning in the next few weeks. Sedgefield Borough Council will arrange for the directories to be recycled.

To find out more, call Estelle Casey on (01388) 721351 extension 8821, visit www.yellgroup.com or call Directory Recycling on 0800 671 444.