RESIDENTS in a former pit village have helped to improve their area.

Volunteers gathered at the old pit site, in Chester Moor, near Durham, for a tree planting event on Saturday.

It was the latest in a series of events organised by Durham County Council's Woodlands and Wildlife Project, which aims to transform 250 hectares of old coalfields into woodland and wildlife reserves.

The final tree planting this year takes place at Chapman's Well, in Quaking Houses, near Stanley, on Christmas Eve at 10am. There will be further events next year.