Residents in Stockton have got the UK's biggest battery recycling trials off to a flying start, collecting 57,000 old, unwanted or used batteries in only six months.

Stockton Borough Council has been working in partnership with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) to run the programme.

Councillor Steve Nelson, cabinet member for the environment, said: "We are delighted with the level of support the trials have received, and I'd like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who has taken part.

"It has been a good start, and we look forward to an even greater number of batteries being collected in the next six months."

The types of batteries that can be recycled as part of the scheme include AAA and AA cells, sizes C and D, button, mobile phone and laptop batteries.

Chris Davey, from Wrap, said "This is a great effort by the people of Stockton, and we urge them to keep up the good work."