A GROUP of youngsters got their hands dirty when they helped to plant wildflowers in the next stage of a waste project.

Pupils from Oak Tree Primary School, Stockton, helped Tees Valley Wildlife Trust sow a mix of wildflower seeds into areas at Maze Park, near the town's Tees Barrage.

The area has a slag-based soil and is ideal for plants that grow in rare chalk and limestone meadows.

The children also planted plug plants of various species, including viper's bugloss, greater knapweed, salad burnet and selfheal.

Steve Ashton, who represents the trust, said: "The Wildflowers from Waste project aims to create new wildflowers meadows to help wildlife. At the same time, by using by-products from industry, we will be cutting down the amount of waste that is going to landfill."

The project is being funded by Biffaward, a multi-million pound fund set up by Biffa Waste Services, with support from Stockton Borough Council and Fine Organics.