DERWENTSIDE schoolchildren have kept their New Year's resolution to help the environment.

Pupils from Shield Row, East Stanley and Bloemfontein primary schools, in the Stanley area, and The Grove and Moorside primary schools, in Consett, have been making bird feeders.

The youngsters, members of the Acorn Trust's nature clubs, are now planning to brighten up their school nature gardens.

A spokesman for the trust said: "A range of fantastically designed bird feeders were created from old drinks bottles, trays, twigs and string. Ingredients included apple, birdseed and lard, sometimes all three.

"It was incredibly messy, but great fun, and the birds seemed to like the results too. Many thanks to all caretakers who helped with the clear-up.''

The children are planting bulbs and Moorside pupils are planting shrubs and tall-growing plants to hide the school's security fence.

The spokesman said: "Plants were purchased from The Grove Gardens, a project run by Durham County Council in Holly Gardens, The Grove.

"This project offers plants for sale to the public and aims to support people suffering from mental disabilities with training in horticulture.''

The projects have been undertaken with grants given by CSV Whitbread Action Earth.