TEENAGERS have been helping to carve out a future for a wildlife haven.

Sixth-formers from The King's Academy, Coulby Newham, have been taking lessons from Brotton artist Derek Mosey on cutting out the outlines of birds.

The silhouettes have been chiselled onto the surface of a wooden bird-watching hide, at Fairy Dell park, a green corner of Coulby Newham.

The etchings will be used by younger children to make paper rubbings.

The work was commissioned by the Friends of Fairy Dell.

Penny Coppard, a 16-year-old member of the work crew, said: "It has been really hard work, and my arms are aching, but it has been worth it, as I think the children will love it."

She worked with 17-year-olds Charlotte Smith, Helen Hawkins, Sarah Montgomery and Sarah Dow.

Middlesbrough Borough Council's wild space officer Sue Antrobus said: "The students have been excellent - they haven't stopped."

Fairy Dell is home birds such as herons, kingfishers, coots, moorhens and the great spotted woodpecker, and was helped by a £100,000 Lotto grant.