Primary schoolchildren in Consett learnt about the hard life on the streets yesterday.

The children, from The Grove Primary School and St Patrick's RC Primary School, spent the afternoon picking litter from the streets in aid of the Children in Need appeal.

The youngsters carried Children in Need buckets, hoping passers-by would donate spare change for the cause.

"It's a way of helping to clean up the streets, teach children about doing something for their community and raising some money for Children in Need all at the same time," said a spokesman for the Acorn Trust, which organised the event.