SCHOOL pupils got a lesson in keeping their town tidy when they turned out for a litter pick.

Ten youngsters from Sunnydale School, in Shildon, volunteered to join Sedgefield Borough Council's neigh-bourhood wardens on a clean-up operation near their school.

The group filled bin bags of rubbish collected in the Albert Street area of the town where residents have complained of litter - often being dropped by students on their lunch break.

Helen Stewart, anti-social behaviour reduction co-ordinator for Sedgefield, said: "Because a lot of the litter complaints we have had are about pupils dropping their rubbish after lunch, we wanted them to see how bad it looks.

"Litter gives a poor impression of an area, making it look in decline and we want young people to take pride in and care of their community.

"Those who joined us may not be responsible, but hopefully they will get the message and mention it to the classmates who are."

The litter pick was the latest move in a series of clean-up initiatives by Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership, with local police, councils and community organisations to improve the environment.