A DALTON family have appeared on a TV chat show after adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle for a week.

The Simpson-Facey family, of Cow Heys, appeared on The New Paul O'Grady Show.

Dad David, mum Natasha and children Damani, 10, Dayana, eight, and Damaar, nine months, were challenged by the show to go 'green' for a week.

The family cut down on using their car, replaced their light bulbs with energy efficient ones, got a new recycling bin and installed a wormery in the back garden to compost their kitchen waste.

Natasha said: "It was lovely. When you do something different it's hard at first, but it was quite enjoyable after a while.

"There are some aspects of the green lifestyle we have kept on with too."

David said going green was worth the effort and added: "It was fantastic. It is difficult when you have habits but it opened our eyes and showed that you can go green if you just put effort in."

The family enjoyed their experience on the show.

Natasha said: "It's madness once all the cameras start rolling, but it was really good. Paul O'Grady is just as you'd imagine him, friendly, bubbly and lovely."

The family were invited to take part in the experiment because of young Damani's links with the show.

He first appeared on the tea-time programme on October 5 to read his poem Happiness, as part of National Poetry Day.

He had been invited after TV scouts at Butlins in Skegness saw the family on holiday in August. They were looking for children with special talents and Damani's poetry stood out.

He impressed with his first appearance on the show and was invited back with eight-year-old sister Dayana.

They had been asked to create a 'monster model' of TV comedian Ricky Gervais and presented it to him live on the show.

They are pictured making the presentation, watched by Gervais, host O'Grady and another guest, ex-Coronation Street actress Suranne Jones.

David said the children, who attend Dalton Junior School, were loving every minute of their fame.

He said: "Our kids love the camera and they are naturals. Apparently, it is rare for children to be invited back on to a show so often.

"But we have told them not to get carried away or boast about it at school. They know education is more important."