ASPIRING poets have been putting pen to paper to urge others to clean up their environment.

More than 220 entries, some from as far afield as Swindon and Sheffield, were received by the Heighington Parish Litter Group, in its limerick competition related to its work.

The winners have been named as the Reverend Keith Burchell, a Methodist minister in Newton Aycliffe, and runner-up as Peter Robinson, from Heighington. They won £100 and £50 respectively.

The panel of judges was chaired by ward councillor Gerald Lee with Councillor Stephen Harker, cabinet member for consumer and environmental services, and Minister for European Parliament Martin Callanan.

Litter group chairman Peter Smyth said: "We are very pleased at the interest shown in the competition. Somehow, we now have to persuade everyone that dropping litter is anti-social."

Its next litter pick will take place on July 8, from 10am.