A HARDY band of countryside-loving volunteers is doing its bit to aid the rural landscape of County Durham.
Members of the county council's voluntary countryside ranger team have been out in force, even on Christmas Eve, helping to transform former coalfield areas into attractive green havens.
As part of the county council's Woodlands and Wildlife Project, a minerals valley scheme aims to convert more than 600-acres of former colliery and opencast mining sites. Tree planting days at selected sites are helping to create woodland and wildlife reserves.
On Christmas Eve volunteers turned their attention to the former Chapmans Well opencast site, between Quaking Houses and Maiden Law, near Stanley.
Under the guidance of project officer John Bragg they cleared the moor of gorse to make way for more planting.
Further action is planned into the New Year, with juniper planting at the Daisy Hill site.
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