TALKING teddy bear litter bins are encouraging youngsters at a play area to dispose of their rubbish properly.

The four bins, which say thank you when litter is put in them, and ask for more, have been installed at the play area at Delves Lane Village Hall, near Consett.

The site, developed by the Delves Lane Community Association, is used by more than 70 youngsters each day.

A community garden, with an ornamental walkway and plants that attract butterflies, has also been created.

The garden was given £2,750 by the County Durham Environmental Trust (CDENT) - which distributes Landfill Tax money to environmental projects - and the trust gave £4,340 for the bins. The rubbish collected is sent for recycling.

Association administrator Anne Westgarth pledged during the ITV Year of Promise that she would help develop an environmentally-friendly play area for local children.

She said: "Delves Lane is an ex-mining village and there has been little enhancement to the area for future generations.

"We are delighted with the support we have received from CDENT and our other sponsors and will continue to develop the area for children."

CDENT chairman John Wearmouth said: "Delves Lane Community Association is to be congratulated on the enterprising way it has interested young people in the environment."