YOUNG people have been working with the congregation of a south-west Durham church on a project to improve its grounds.
Dean Bank and Ferryhill Baptist Church won public support for the project through GMTV and the Big Lottery's People's Millions, last year.
As a result, a group of youngsters have been working with the trust Groundwork East Durham and the community to turn the church grounds into an attractive community space.
Previous funding enabled Groundwork to replace the church boundary for an improvement scheme.
The recent Lottery contribution has provided turf, trees, plants, paving, ramps and handrails, lighting, signs and decorative window grilles.
At the centre of the garden is a feature by blacksmith artist Graeme Hopper.
He said: "As part of the design process, I was working with young people from the e-cafe, where we developed the theme of water, immersion and baptism.
Church minister Ray Richardson said: "The gardens look great, which is good for the church and the whole area.
"When you travel into Dean Bank, the church grounds are one of the first things you see and we are thrilled to be playing our part in the improvements and the regeneration of the area."
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