SEDGEFIELD Borough Council has defended its policy of photographing children dropping litter.

The council's Kick the Litter Bug Campaign includes issuing fixed penalty fines for those found dropping rubbish.

Some parents have criticised the council for what they call the 'sneaky' photographing of children.

But the council says all children from the schools involved were told about identification methods and the scheme was widely advertised.

Glyn Hall, director of housing and environmental health, said: "The method used to identify students involves photographing any student committing a littering offence.

"The school then identifies the students and their parents or guardians are contacted."

He said the method was introduced with the full approval of the police and schools and added the enforcement officer can only approach children if accompanied by a teacher of police officer.

The scheme, which has been running at Woodham Comprehensive in Newton Aycliffe, and Shildon Sunnydale, has resulted in the amount of litter on those school routes being halved.

It has proved so successful that it is hoped to extend it to all secondary schools in the borough.