A CANNY scheme aimed at helping the environment was hailed a big success at the weekend.

The Cash for Cans initiative, launched by Middlesbrough Council, urged people to hand over their aluminium cans in exchange for cash.

On Saturday morning, tons of tins were collected at the town's Albert Park.

Park ranger Chris Foster said people were paid 40p per kilo of cans. "We got lots of people turning up and about 20 kilos of cans, which wasn't bad at all," he said.

The cans - which will now be recycled - were collected by Albert Park manager Stuart Johnston and Middlesbrough Council's recycling officer, Bill Morton.