CHILDREN have been hunting down a litter monster in a programme to make them more aware of their environment.

Children from Annfield Plain Junior School, near Stanley, had to catch and convict a litter monster who was in the area.

Margaret Willey, environmental education warden for Groundwork West Durham and Darlington, who developed the theme, briefed and showed the children a wanted poster.

After following a trail of clues, the monster was caught redhanded, on the Coast-to-Coast cycle route, and taken back to the school, with the help of community police support officers, to be tried for littering. Help was also provided by fire community support officer Gary Eden.

The event was developed in conjunction with Steve Day and Cameron Gordon of DU Services.

Jack Drum Arts will produce a DVD of the event.