CHILDREN and charities have been rewarded for doing their bit to save the planet.

Author Terry Deary, famous for his Horrible Histories series, was guest of honour at an awards ceremony at Sunderland's Museum and Winter Gardens, on Thursday.

He performed the honours at the celebration for schools and charities which have devised or taken part in recycling projects to help the environment.

Winning schools included New Silksworth Infants, St Anthony's RC Girls' School and Town End Primary, all from Sunderland.

A total of 8,000 children took part in the project.

Schools sustainability co-ordinator Steve Graham, who organised the competition, said: "The project teams up schools, environmental organisations and charities to raise young people's awareness of global environmental and social issues, as well as those closer to home.

"This might be through recycling clothes, books or toys."

Organisations supporting the project include EnCams, national recycling charity, WasteWise and Sunderland City Council's environmental health team.

City councillor Ian Galbraith, whose cabinet portfolio includes the environment, said: "What amazes me is that year after year we see young people up to the age of 18 getting so enthusiastic about recycling and about saving the environment, while helping charities."

Money raised from the sale of recycled items was donated to projects at home and abroad, through charities such as Oxfam and Save the Children