Councils in County Durham have been awarded £450,000 to encourage people to recycle more.

The funding, for Darlington, Chester-le-Street, Durham City, Derwentside, Easington, Sedgefield, Wear Valley and Teesdale, will be used to employ eight people for two years to help spread the green message.

From next month, the team will be knocking on doors, calling at schools and visiting towns with a roadshow, offering advice and information on recycling and reducing household waste.

Chris McEwan, Darlington council's cabinet member for community protection, said: "The introduction last year of kerbside recycling in Darlington has really boosted recycling in the borough but we still need to encourage more people to take part and this scheme will certainly help."

The cash has come from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.