AN ambitious bid to collect a million drink cans in east Durham will get underway next week.

The Million Can Challenge is aimed at mobilising the community to clean up the environment while helping good causes at the same time.

The event, launched during National Volunteers’ Week celebrations, is spearheaded by the Peterlee-based East Durham Trust, which is inviting community groups and individual volunteers to offer their support.

Trust chief executive Malcolm Fallow said: “‘This is primarily an environmental project in response to people’s concerns about litter and the need for us to recycle more.

“However, we also expect to raise money in the process and this will be put to local good causes.”

Volunteers will be carrying out can collections and local drop-off points will be established throughout the area.

For more information contact the trust on 0191-569-3511.