THE next generation of environmentally-friendly citizens are being honed at fun activity days at a North-East nature reserve.

Durham Wildlife Trust is playing host to Eco-Rangers 2002, a series of interactive sessions that are designed to raise environmental awareness among ten and 11-year-olds from local schools.

Since its launch in 1999, almost 5,000 primary school pupils have become eco-rangers.

Over the next ten days, 1,700 children from 35 schools will visit the trust's headquarters at the Rainton Meadows reserve, near Houghton-le-Spring.

Sunderland's mayor, Councillor Ken Murray, launched this year's eco-rangers sessions yesterday.