VOLUNTEERS took time out of work to give more than 1,000 plastic bottles a new lease of life - as a greenhouse.

The 8ft structure made from empty drinks bottles now stands proudly at Red Hall Primary School, in Darlington, where pupils have launched a gardening club.

The bottles were collected by staff at Darlington company EE, who helped build the structure as part of the Darlington Cares initiative, which matches the skills and resources of local employers to opportunities where they can have a positive impact on the community.

Construction company Esh Group also provided the greenhouse’s wooden frame, as well as other building materials, while Willmott Dixon donated a skip to help transport the bottles.

Darlington Cares programme manager Katie Blundell said: “I’m really impressed, everyone has worked really hard.

“They had to cut the bottles and then put them onto the bamboo - it was quite a task.

"Not many people drink fizzy drinks nowadays, so they have done really well to get so many two-litre bottles.

“The school are delighted and are really pleased with it. It is a fantastic school which is an important part of the local community.”

For more information visit darlingtoncares.co.uk