STUDENTS have been helping plant trees around Durham Cathedral’s picturesque riverbanks.

Around 20 East Durham College students based at the Houghall campus, near Durham, worked with the cathedral’s woodlands and riverbanks team to improve the banks of the River Wear.

Gillian Davies, from the cathedral team, said: “We want to encourage more people to use the woodlands and riverbanks surrounding the cathedral as a space for relaxation and recreation, so we have been working hard to improve the walkways and the general area.

“It’s wonderful to be working with the students from Houghall because they are the conservationists of the future.”

The students are volunteering their time as part of their studies towards gaining a diploma in environmental conservation.