A GROUP of North-East councils has been awarded £450,000 to encourage people to recycle more.

The funding, for Darlington, Chester-le-Street, Durham City, Derwentside, Easington, Sedgefield, Wear Valley and Teesdale, will be used to employ eight people for two years to help spread the green message.

From next month, the team will be visiting homes, calling at schools and attendng towns with a roadshow, offering advice on recycling and reducing household waste.

Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for community protection, said: "The introduction last year of kerbside recycling in Darlington has really boosted recycling in the borough, but we still need to encourage more people to take part and this scheme will certainly help."

The money has come from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.