VOLUNTEERS with a love of the great outdoors are being encouraged to take part in sprucing up a north Durham woodland this weekend.

Environmental regeneration charity Groundwork is appealing for community-minded residents to get their hands dirty during a volunteer day event.

It is be held at the Greencroft Woodlands, in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, on Saturday from 10am to noon.

The woodland is located alongside The Greenhouse, Groundwork’s pioneering eco-business centre, and is a popular leisure and recreation venue, as well as an educational resource.

The charity is hoping local people will get involved in maintaining some of the footpaths that run through the 51-acre site, as part of an initiative designed to get more residents interested in enhancing their surroundings.

The project was launched in April, with the aim of establishing more ‘Friends’ groups to look after green spaces in the former Derwentside district, as well as supporting existing community organisations.

Groundwork is able to provide expertise in how such natural environments should be cared for and can offer assistance with funding bids.

Saturday’s event has been designed to highlight the benefits of people giving up some free time to get involved with environmental work.

Kath Ivens, volunteers and green spaces co-ordinator for Groundwork, said: "There will be plenty of practical tasks for people to tackle on the day, so we hope that as many as possible will come along to lend a hand.

"The Greencroft Woodlands are a beautiful natural environment and I’m sure that everyone who volunteers will find looking after the area a rewarding experience.

"The project we have on-going at the moment is all about encouraging more people to discover the enjoyment that can be had from volunteering and Saturday’s event is certainly a great way to do that."

Anyone interested in taking part should wear sturdy footwear and meet at The Greenhouse, Amos Drive, Greencroft Industrial Park, at 10am.