CONSERVATION students and volunteers have been up to the knees in water to carry out a spring clean.

Lustrum Beck in Stockton was targeted thanks to £2,000 grant from energy efficiency firm Eaga.

The work is the first part of a series of improvement projects being carried out in the area.

Students from East Durham Colleges Houghall along with members of Swainby Road Residents Association and St Anns Community Partnership spent the day tidying the beck.

College lecturer Jonathan Pounder said: "It's a dirty job but someone has to do it. It's a very easy job, and the benefits can be seen straight away."