DOZENS of Darlington students braved gusty winds to help clean-up their community.

Pupils from Darlington School of Mathematics and Science and Cockerton CE Primary School collected rubbish from outside flats and shops in Cockerton on Thursday (October 10).

Community-led initiatives such as this could become an ever-more important tool in keeping the town's streets clean, with council budget cuts looming on the horizon.

The volunteers collected 22 bags of rubbish, but still think that more work needs to be done, particularly in the local playground.

Before beginning the litter-picking, the children were taught never to pick up needles or anything that could hurt them.

Councilor Jan Cossins started the litter-picking schemes in 2005.

She believes that it a great way to teach children about community spirit and how important it is to care for their area.

She said: “The students involved were marvellous, they are all a real credit to their schools and their families.”

The litter-picking also allows children from primary school to mix with pupils from senior schools, making the prospect of joining secondary school less daunting.