A CRACK team has been assembled by Sedgefield Borough Council to improve the countryside and encourage more visitors.

The council has employed a countryside officer since the late-1980s as part of its design team, which has responsibilities for architecture, conservation and landscaping.

The officer's role was mainly concerned with footpaths and bridleways.

But the emphasis has changed with the creation of a four-member countryside team, headed by Jonathan Elmer.

He said: "Our main goal is to improve not just access to the countryside, but also the quality of the countryside in terms of biodiversity and wildlife.

"We are looking at creating habitats and wildlife sites, improving discreet pieces of land and the wider landscape as a whole."

His new team includes assistant countryside officer Louise Harrington.

Her post is funded jointly with Spennymoor Town Council and includes working on specific projects.

She said: "Projects we are working on at the moment include Ferryhill Carrs, improving the footpaths there, putting kissing gates in and extending fences to keep out motorbikes.

"The Bishop Middleham allotment site is another project we are developing into a major wetland area for residents and wildlife. It's the residents' idea and they asked for our help."

Project officer Deborah Ferguson, whose post is funded by English Nature, is the team member with responsibility for developing local nature reserves.

She said: "It is about getting the local community involved in developing and managing local nature reserves, encouraging them to get involved in education on the site and learn about nature, particularly in economically deprived areas.

"I'm going to be responsible for declaring the sites, getting a steering group of local residents together and helping to manage the sites."

About half-a-dozen sites have already been identified, including Ferryhill Carrs and Castle Eden Walkway.

The sites may not be the greatest for wildlife, but have been selected in places where people live, to encourage them to visit and appreciate their environment.

The fourth member of the team is health walks officer Jim Nutt, whose post is funded by external organisations, including the Countryside Agency and Sedgefield Primary Care Trust.

He said: "My role is to encourage people to get out and enjoy the facilities being provided in Sedgefield borough.

"Walking is a great exercise for people who don't want to be Olympic athletes but want to improve their health, prevent illness or recover from illness.

"We hope to run groups in most towns and villages in the borough where people can meet socially and get out together to enjoy the local amenities by walking."

Successful groups have already been established in Newton Aycliffe and Shildon, catering for walkers of all abilities. Mr Elmer is enthusiastic about the new countryside team.

He said: "What we are doing will be of great benefit to people, but that is not the only reason we're doing this.

"The primary reason is to improve and encourage the diversity of the countryside and we see that as having secondary effects towards people's health and welfare."

Anyone interested in joining or establishing a healthy walking group, or who wants to volunteer to lead a walk, can contact Jim Nutt on (01388) 816166