TEENAGERS are transforming part of a hospice grounds for a school project teaching them to care about their community.

A group of Year 10 and 11 pupils from King James 1 Community College are spending a day a week tidying up an overgrown corner beside the Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland.

The land needs levelling and clearing before it can be paved to create a quiet corner for clients to sit.

Before they started the project students were given a tour of the hospice, which provides day care for people from all parts of south Durham. One of them, Maria Jackson, aged 15, said: "My grandad died from cancer and I wanted to do something to help other cancer patients.

"I didn't know about the hospice before we came here, even though I only live down the road."

Police community safety officer Sgt Mick Hutchinson suggested the project when he learned that the hospice wanted someone to do the work.

In the past, King James students, have created a colourful garden in front of the building.

Claire Wall, special educational needs co-ordinator at the school, said: "They are really working hard and enjoying the project.

"They are learning to work as a team and do something for their local community."

Hospice fundraiser Sylvia Stoneham praised the youngsters' efforts.

She said: "It is nice to see young people put so much work into this. Children of their age are going to be the volunteers of the future."