A SERIES of improvements to four urban nature reserves across Darlington has been completed.

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

The work, which has been 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 all four sites, the paths have been resurfaced with dolomite to make them more accessible, yet still in keeping with their surroundings.

Drinkfield Marsh, in the Whessoe area of town, has seen most 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 the 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 also has a new outdoor classroom for educational visits and a boardwalk connecting the site with other countryside in the north of Darlington.

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

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

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

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