PUPILS at three Darlington schools got their hands dirty to do their bit for the environment this week.

Youngsters from Springfield Primary and Beaumont Hill School in the Education Village planted about 800 spring bulbs in the school grounds yesterday.

They were joined by staff from Asda, in Whinbush Way, Darlington, as part of the supermarket's Get Involved project, where staff donate their time to help the community.

Sarah Makepeace, events co-ordinator at the store, said the bulbs were planted to enhance the grounds of the new building.

"The children and staff really enjoyed it."

Children at Harrowgate Hill Junior School were also busy planting bulbs earlier in the week in a separate project at North Park.

Working with Friends of North Road Park, year six pupils planted hundreds of crocus and tulip bulbs.

It is the second year pupils from the school have helped to plant the bulbs.

Carole Hanococks, deputy headteacher at the school, said this year they were planted in a place where residents could see them from their windows, at the request of people living near the park.