TONNES of recycling materials are helping raise cash for the Save The Children Fund.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's contracted collector, Abitibi, donates £1 for every tonne collected and, since February, that has amounted to more than £2,000.

The collection of the green boxes, with cans and glass, along with the blue bags, containing paper, totalled 460 tonnes in February - 490 tonnes in March, 605 tonnes in April's five weeks and 468 tonnes in May.

The council's cabinet member for environmental improvement, Councillor Bob Stanway, said: "People are responding really well to our new recycling regime and the donations to the Save The Children Fund underline how important the process is."

Abitibi will be making an earlier start to its four-day weeks. Starting on Tuesday, the pick-up will start at 7.30am.