Pupils from Sunnydale School, Shildon have been presented with £200 for being the most improved school in the Sedgefield borough.

Councillor David Newell, Mayor of Sedgefield Borough Council, visited the school to present the students with a certificate and a cash prize.

The award is part of the borough council's Clean School Awards, which were organised to help reduce litter.

The prize money will be used to help the school improve its environment further.

Coun Newell praised the school for its efforts and encouraged the students to keep up their good work.

He said: "It is important that we look after the environment and stop dropping litter.

"It is clear that the school has already done a lot of work in order to achieve this award.''

Acting headteacher at Sunnydale School, Andy White, said: "It is great to see our students' efforts being rewarded in this way.

"We are looking forward to improving our environment using this money."