More than two and a half tonnes of rubbish was collected during a community clean-up campaign in Wingate.
Durham County Council, in partnership with Wingate Parish Council, Durham Constabulary and the Probation Service, held a series of education sessions and litter picks in the village from 25 September.
The drive was aimed at instilling pride in local communities as well as encouraging young people to throw their rubbish away properly and help keep their neighbourhood clean and tidy.
Pupils and staff from local schools took part in a litter pick where they collected 16 bags of rubbish.
Teams from the council and Probation Service also cleared an extra two and a half tonnes of rubbish from the old pit site and surrounding area.
Eleven untidy yards and issues including flytipping, litter and dog fouling were also dealt with using a range of environmental powers.
A free event also saw 13 dogs microchipped and three people sign up to the Green Dog Walkers scheme, which is aimed at encouraging responsible dog ownership.
Meanwhile, Tidy Ted, the council’s anti-litter mascot, visited St Mary’s Primary School before pupils joined a litter pick at Welfare Park.
Other activities included a litter pick at the old pit heap involving Wellfield Community School, a major tidy up of the woodland, a litter assembly at Wingate Junior School and Tidy Ted visited Wingate Nursery.
Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, Durham County Council, said: “It is pleasing to see that so many local people got involved in the environmental campaign in Wingate and we would like to thank all those who took part for their help.
“We would encourage all communities to take pride in their environment and help keep our beautiful county free of litter.”
Report litter online at www.durham.gov.uk/litter or call 03000 261 000.