ENVIRONMENTALLY conscious youngsters have raised money for charity through their recycling efforts.

Children from St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic School, Crook, have been recycling their computer ink cartridges to support the Butterwick Hospice's recycling campaign in Bishop Auckland.

It is the second time that the youngsters have enthusiastically backed the campaign.

At Christmas they collected more than 30 bin bags full of Christmas cards which were added to funds.

Hospice Volunteer Bernard Harrison went along to the school to visit the children to thank them and let them know how important their contribution was.

While he was there pupils John Hoyle and Lucy Pedley, both eight, presented him with a cheque for £159.33.

The impressive sum was the total raised from recycling almost 200 computer ink cartridges.

Mr Harrison said: "We are very grateful and it is good to be able to work with the schools throughout the area to raise money in this way.''