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 recently, 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, with open access paths for public use.

Recent areas targeted as part of the project have been Daisy Hill, next to Waldridge Fell, and the old Chester Moor pit site, on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street.

On Wednesday, 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 further planting.

The event was dubbed a "winter warmer" as the removed gorse was burned off in bonfires.

Further action is planned into the New Year, with juniper planting at the Daisy Hill site.

Further details of future planting events are available from Mr Bragg, at County Hall, Durham, on 0191-383 5521.