SCHOOLCHILDREN across East Lancashire are being encouraged to prevent river pollution.

The National Rovers Authority is giving away education packs and videos to schools in Blackburn, Hyndburn, Burnley and Pendle.

The packs feature the "Don't Rubbish Your River" message and are designed to teach pupils how tipping litter and rubbish into rivers and streams can harm wildlife and cause flooding.

NRA water services area manager Deryck Major explained: "The NRA is responsible for keeping our rivers running freely, but more of our time and resources are now being spent clearing away rubbish needlessly tipped.

"Learning about the problems caused by tipping in rivers at an early age is the only way to keep our rivers clear for the future."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.