RESIDENTS have helped start a park's regeneration by picking up litter.
Families from Windy Nook, in Gateshead, went to Windy Nook Nature Park to take part in a community litter-pick organised by Gateshead Council.
The initiative marked one of the first stages in plans to hand over the park's running and management to members of the community.
The Next to Nature project will see the five-hectare park turned into a local nature reserve, which will provide an area of relaxation, recreation and educational opportunities.
As a reward for the litter pickers' help, a barbecue was organised and Peter Shield, the council's first urban community wildlife officer, talked to them about the area's varied wildlife.
The council is now considering including Bensham Butterfly Station, Norwood Nature Park, Dunston Pond, Pelaw Quarry Pond, Cross Lane Meadows, in Swalwell, and the Kittiwake Tower, at Saltmeadows, in the Next to Nature scheme.
Next to Nature is funded by English Nature and the New Opportunities Fund, and has the support of Durham Wildlife Trust, the Great North Forest and Thompson's of Prudhoe Environmental Trust.
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