YOUNGSTERS from two primary schools helped make the earth move at a multi-million pound parkland restoration.

The children, from Sedgefield Primary and Hardwick Primary schools, brought the huge diggers under starter's orders to begin excavating a lost lake at Hardwick Park, near Sedgefield, County Durham.

The work to restore the 17-acre lake, which disappeared about 150 years ago, is a major part of a ten-year project by Durham County Council. The scheme, which won almost £5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, aims to restore the historic Grade II* listed parkland to its 1750s splendour.

The project includes restoration work to a number of follies, opening up vistas through undergrowth and woodland and restoring the circuit walk and grand terrace.

Construction work on the lake is expected to be complete in January 2005, with filling complete in June 2005.

Work on clearing the eastern end of the bed of the main lake started in September 2003 and was completed the following month.

About two-thirds of the vegetation that had developed on the bed of the former lake was cleared, leaving the remainder as an ecologically and educationally important feature.

This will be separated from the restored lake by a low embankment which is still to be constructed.

Extensive archaeological work was carried out both in and around the dam during the summer and autumn of 2003, which revealed the presence of a lime slaking pit.

Also discovered was a sophisticated system of water management which included a sluice used to give the impression that the main cascade leading into the pond carried more water than it actually did.

All have been recorded and covered over again but it is intended eventually to bring the sluice feature back into full working order.

The parkland was created in the 1750s by acclaimed architect James Paine for John Burdon, a wealthy South Shields businessman.

It is thought to be potentially as important as some of Britain's finest landscape gardens, including those at Stourhead and Stowe