£88,000 of improvements to nature reserves completed

The £88,000 scheme has involved the construction of three kilometres of surfaced pathways, installation of disabled-friendly kissing gates and an environmental sculpture.

The work, funded by the Countryside Agency, County Durham Environmental Trust and Darlington Borough Council, has been carried out at Drinkfield Marsh, Brinkburn Pond, Brankin Moor and The Whinnies.

At each site, groups have been set up to oversee the upkeep of the area.

One of the main aspects of the work at all four sites has involved the paths being resurfaced with dolomite to make them more accessible, while remaining in keeping with their surroundings.

Drinkfield Marsh, in the Whessoe area of town, has seen the majority of the work.

A dipping platform - a wooden pier from which children can observe creatures in the water and feed ducks - has been installed, as has an environmental sculpture.

Created by artist Keith Barrett, the sculpture acts as a place for visitors to shelter as well as a habitat for wildlife.

Drinkfield Marsh has also been furnished with an outdoor classroom for educational visits and a boardwalk connecting the site with surrounding countryside in the north of Darlington.

Three entrance features have also been installed to advertise the site, off Whessoe Road.

Two disabled-friendly kissing gates have been installed at Brankin Moor, as well as a 400m circular walk and new fencing.

The Brinkburn Pond, now known as Brinkburn Nature Reserve, has been improved in consultation with fishermen who use the site, primarily with safety in mind.

Rob George, Darlington council's countryside officer, said: "We are trying to make the area safer, basically encouraging people who are there for the right reasons, as well as working with fishermen to improve them."

Bird and bat boxes have also been installed in the woodland near the pond, as well as five kissing gates.

The main changes at The Whinnies, in Middleton St George, have been the path improvements.