Sedgefield Borough Council is trying to tackle the growing problem of litter being discarded in its area.

A scheme has centred around Sunnydale Comprehensive School, Shildon, and Woodham Comprehensive School, Newton Aycliffe.

Environmental officers have been patrolling routes to school, especially at lunchtimes, and issuing £25 penalties to anyone caught littering.

There is also a reward scheme where people seen disposing of rubbish properly are given McDonalds or Greggs vouchers.

Eric Beevers, the council's environmental health manager, said court proceedings could be taken against people who fail to pay the fixed fines