AN eco-friendly school has found a novel way to recycle potentially dangerous trees in its mascot's garden.

A tree survey was carried out at schools across Darlington by the borough council's abhoricultural section to identify any dangerous trees.

Concerns were raised at Dodmire Infant School that several trees in Doddy's Secret Garden and Toadstool Park had loose and broken branches that could be dangerous.

The garden, opened in 2003, is named after the school's teddy bear mascot Doddy.

The tree survey revealed that some urgent work was needed in the garden to make the trees safe.

When the team went to the school to cut down the branches, they were asked if they could be used to restock the woodchip path which runs through Doddy's garden.

A wood chipper was brought to the school so the branches could be recycled into material for the path.

Councillor Stephen Harker, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for consumer and environmental services, said: "Cutting the trees back made the garden safer and it is fantastic that the branches have been recycled for the path.

"As an eco-school, Dodmire Infants has shown how important being environmentally-friendly is to its pupils and staff and this is another example of making a real difference by caring for their school environment."