PUPILS in Stockton are getting together to reduce rubbish on the borough's streets as part of a Government scheme to reduce litter.

Stockton is one of seven local authorities in the North-East selected to take part in the scheme, which aims to get schools and communities working together to reduce the amount of litter dropped during lunch breaks.

Three Stockton schools will soon be doing their bit in the battle against waste.

They are: The Norton School; Conyers School; and Billingham Campus School.

The scheme will see six litter bins installed between The Norton School and nearby shops in Surrey Road.

The other two schools will act as control locations, against which the success of the scheme will be measured.

The schools will also be asked to collect aluminium cans and all funds raised from this will be donated to the TFM/Magic 1170 Make a Child Smile appeal. At the end of the scheme, the school which has collected the most aluminium cans will win £250, with the other two schools receiving £50.

At the beginning of the project, surveys will be carried out near the school to calculate the amount of litter.

The school which has the most improved litter survey when the project finishes at the end of the month, will win £250, to be used in the local community or in the school.