A YOUTH drama group will be undertaking a different kind of performance when it carries out the first of several litter picks around its estate.

Members of the Woodhouse Acting Silly Harrys (Wash), which is based at Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre, will regularly clear litter from the estate, starting from Thursday.

Equipped with litter pickers and rubbish bags, they will be walking the streets, before enjoying a celebration that has been planned as a reward for their street clean-up.

Jane Crawford, from Daisy Arts who is also director of Wash, said: "Members of the group feel very passionate about their community and their surroundings.

"They have all worked on many art-based projects, which have allowed them to express their feelings openly about their estate.

"Becoming official litter pickers shows their continuous commitment to the place they call home.

"The group all hopes that its presence around the estate on clean-up days will inspire others to keep their community's streets and leisure areas clean and litter free."

The idea of carrying out the litter picks was put to the group by Groundwork West Durham and Darlington's Wholesome Nine Yards project, which funded equipment, group T-shirts and the celebration.

Project officer Joanne Morley said: "We would like to see these litter picks become part of the estate's social calendar and a positive experience for the young people.

"Those involved in the project are extremely passionate about where they live and making it somewhere the community can be proud of.

"And they are setting a wonderful example by doing their bit."