BIRD boxes made by prison inmates have been spotted among picturesque woodlands.

Criminals serving sentences at Durham Prison made the nest boxes, before they were installed around Durham University’s Durham City woodlands.

Around 100 have been installed in total.

The boxes are suitable for blue tits, great tits and larger birds such as barn owls.

Dr Stephen Willis, from the university’s school of biological and biomedical sciences, said: “This has been a great example of a collaborative effort between the university and the wider community, which has enhanced the biodiversity of the woodlands for the benefit of everyone.”