Young people from the Waterside's Tullyally estate in Londonderry have been taking part in an environmental clean up campaign in their estate.

The clean up is part of a summer scheme for the young people in the area.

The Tullyally and District Development Group are running the scheme in conjunction with Derry City Council and the Housing Executive.

The aim of the scheme is to encourage young people to help look after their local community and to foster an interest in environmental issues.

Rachel Lynch, Youth Development Officer with Tullyally and District Development Group, said: "The environmental clean up campaign has been running all of this week and we are really pleased with the turn out from the local children.

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"We all want to live in a clean environment and through this campaign we are showing the young people what a difference it makes when their environment is free of litter.

"Hopefully by their involvement in the clean up they will realise how much of an impact litter has on damaging the environment.

"We take great pride in our estate and hopefully, through schemes such as this, young people will realise that it is much more pleasant for everyone when paths and gardens are free of litter."

Neighbourhood Warden Roslyn Colhoun, who works in the Waterside tackling environmental issues, said: "This is a great opportunity for us to build links with young people from the estate who have a role in shaping their local community now, and in the future.

"It also complements the ongoing grounds maintenance work which the Housing Executive carries out in the estate.

"We are delighted that Derry City Council have given their support to this project and that together we are getting the message across to children, as well as the local community about the benefits of maintaining a clean and litter free environment," he added.

(PR/JM)