A DRIVE to raise recycling levels in Hartlepool has received a boost from schools across the town.

Thirty-six schools have signed up to a scheme which aims to reduce the amount of paper being thrown away.

Operating under Hartlepool Borough Council's Pride in Hartlepool campaign, the scheme involves supplying fre recycling bins to schools so they can collect waste paper.

Pride in Hartlepool officer Andrea Bishop said: "Many of our schools are already heavily involved in various recycling and environmental initiatives so I am delighted this particular scheme has attracted such strong support.

"Recycling levels in Hartlepool generally have increased quite significantly."