VILLAGERS have rolled up their sleeves and done their bit to improve their environment.

The call for volunteers to take part in a litter-pick brought a good response among the community in East Hedleyhope, in the upper Deerness Valley, west of Durham.

East Hedleyhope Community Association arranged the event, calling on people to converge on the Village Hall, at the weekend.

They tackled an area known as The Little Wood to clear rubbish that has collected among the undergrowth in recent years.

The community association plans to follow up the work by planting bluebells and primroses.

Project co-ordinator Chris Ruskin said volunteers collected ten large sacks of rubbish, plus discarded computer equipment and old car wheels from the wood.

A large amount of broken glass was also collected and removed.

Mr Ruskin said: "Now the wood is ready for planting, we all look forward to being able to wander through it to appreciate the beauty right there on our doorstep."

The litter-pick is part of a five-month campaign, Action Earth, overseen by the Community Service Volunteers, with the backing of Morrisons supermarkets.

In the nationwide campaign, 900 voluntary organisations, businesses and community groups are undertaking projects to help the environment.