(Image: Supplied)
A County Durham primary school has teamed up with a community litter-picking group to improve the environment and encourage pride in the area.
Sedgefield Primary School joined Sedgefield Ploggers, who combine jogging with litter-picking, to clean up the centre of Sedgefield for County Durham’s Big Autumn Clean.
More than 30 pupils and teachers took part in the 'plog', a Swedish-inspired activity combining fitness, fresh air and litter-picking.
Sedgefield Primary School ploggers in action in the grounds of Ceddesfeld Hall - Alice Clements, in black, and Seth Morris are in the centre (Image: Supplied)
Chris Lines of Sedgefield Ploggers said: "It was brilliant to team up with Sedgefield Primary School.
"We had an army of ploggers on duty and they were all hugely enthusiastic.
"Generally, Sedgefield is actually very tidy, but it’s always possible to find litter and together we collected an impressive haul.
"It’s great to use the Big Autumn Clean as a way to involve young people in activities like this, embedding pride in place and encouraging physical activity in the open air.
"I hope that the children keep contributing to our community in this and other ways, and use positive pester power to encourage others to do likewise."
The event took place near the school and was organised with headteacher Leanne Collings’ support.
Year 5 pupils took part, including long-time plogger Maggie Edge, alongside regular Year 2 participants Seth Morris and Alice Clements.
Ms Collings said: "Taking our Year 5 class out for a 'plog' was such a lovely experience.
"Being part of the community is so important to me, and celebrating all the wonderful groups our village has to offer with our children is really special.
"The children felt proud knowing they were doing their bit for society, not only focusing on the environment but looking after their own mental and physical health."
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Founded in 2018, Sedgefield Ploggers meets at least once a month to tackle litter in different parts of the village.
People of all ages take part, including many young people.
The Big Autumn Clean is a County Durham initiative promoting civic pride.
Find out more about Sedgefield Ploggers at www.facebook.com/SedgefieldPloggers.